
The Village
Season 3 Episode 304 | 44m 14sVideo has Closed Captions
Alexa investigates a death at an upscale retirement village.
Alexa investigates a death at an upscale retirement village where a quiet life is the last thing the residents want, and where her brother's involvement with the victims feels too close to home.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
My Life is Murder is presented by your local public television station.
Distributed nationally by American Public Television

The Village
Season 3 Episode 304 | 44m 14sVideo has Closed Captions
Alexa investigates a death at an upscale retirement village where a quiet life is the last thing the residents want, and where her brother's involvement with the victims feels too close to home.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
How to Watch My Life is Murder
My Life is Murder is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
Providing Support for PBS.org
Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorship♪ Snap sale, lots of bargains!
Hey, lady like to buy a T-rex?
[Imitates roar] Nah.
How much is the PS5?
50 bucks.
Is it fake?
Uh-uh.
It's the real deal.
Super hard to find.
Yeah, I know.
What's wrong with it?
Nothing.
He only just got it for his birthday, which was... Wait a minute.
Who?
My brother.
Is all this stuff his?
But he definitely knows I'm selling it.
What did he do?
Come on, girlfriend.
I know a revenge sale when I see one.
Fine.
He hacked my Insta, and he posted an embarrassing baby pic of me.
He ate all of the microwave popcorn and planted evidence in my room.
He even trained my cat to sleep on his bed.
That is unacceptable.
Here, $20, $40, $45.
You know what?
I'll throw in his teddy for an extra couple bucks.
Ooh, you're diabolical.
But no, I'm actually out.
You're 20 cents short.
Oh, come on, have a heart.
Have a great day.
Yeah.
Keep giving him hell.
It's the only way he'll learn.
Sale!
Sale!
♪ Been shopping?
Well, I love a good bargain, me.
Or receiving stolen property, depending on how you look at it.
Do I ask?
Do you wanna know?
[Chuckles softly] What's the occasion?
Monday.
[Chuckles] And do I ask?
You could.
Or I can tell you about Day Dawn Retirement Village, a resort-like community for the rich, the famous, the over-60s.
A death at a retirement village?
That's just crazy talk.
Jean Hartigan.
Who's Jean when she's at home?
A judge.
A community leader.
She was awarded the Queen's Service Medal six years ago.
Two months ago, she was with some other residents in the village bar, having a few drinks.
She felt a bit off.
She removed herself from the party.
The next morning, she was found dead, drowned in her bath.
She was found by her new husband.
He went to look for her when she didn't show up for breakfast.
A new husband?
Yeah, Frankie Jones.
They were married just a few months, still in separate units.
Frankie was out playing a gig the night of.
You know, I'm still thinking that a death in a retirement home is just not that kooky.
Jean was fit, she was active, she was in great health.
She was also riddled with LSD.
You don't say.
What made you do the toxicology?
No suspicious substance found on the nightstand showing up.
None of the oldies have anything to add.
They were either unsure or unwilling to share details, so the case has been ruled death by misadventure.
But you think no.
Yeah, the son's not convinced either.
Said his mother never drank, never took drugs.
He thinks the new husband might have been taking advantage.
And you wanna take another look.
It's worth another look.
Talking to the staff nurse again, the village manager, Jeff, too.
Oh, and the new gardener, recently released from prison, who's serving the rest of his sentence under supervision.
He's been working at the village as part of his community service.
Well, that's a red flag.
What does he have to say for himself?
Well, he wasn't on site the night of Jean's death, still under curfew.
His name's Will Crowe.
Not related, is he?
You know, why don't we just try to find out what happened to dear old Jean?
You don't wanna stay for a bite?
Nah, I'm good.
♪ Oh, hi, yes.
Um, I'm trying to find my brother, Will Crowe.
He's supposed to have been released.
Kia ora!
Good God, don't you ever knock?
Last time I knocked, you didn't answer.
[Huffs] Okay, so I trawled the village Facebook page, but the pics and comments were as vanilla as they come.
But then I found the FB community page, and that was where all of the action was at.
Check this out.
[Cheering, laughter] Well, they look like they're having an awesome time.
These retirees grew up with the Stones and Pink Floyd -- they know how to party.
Oh, and also, there is a post from Frankie the day after Jean died.
"RIP, my love.
LOL."
Are those laughing emojis?
Oh, actually, he means "lots of love", and those are supposed to be sad faces.
It's a common mistake among boomers.
Oh, yeah, I think a few of these ladies have a crush on the gardener.
Okay, so now, see this?
See this mark on Jean's chest?
Mm-hm.
The coroners put it down to a necklace that she was wearing in the days before she died, but we can't find one that matches.
You want me to do a search?
Yeah.
And also run a check on Jeff Turner, the village manager.
See yourself out, won't you?
Cool.
♪ There is no way that my mother took LSD.
Sometimes we don't know our relatives as well as we think.
I'm not saying that she's some sort of sweet, little old lady.
I mean, she's a High Court judge, for God's sake.
So maybe she was making up for a life that was all work and no play.
There was plenty of play in her life.
It just didn't involve boozing.
But she changed.
When she went to Day Dawn Village, she changed.
She was in a fatal car accident when she was young.
Drunk driver.
She was traumatised.
And that is why she didn't drink -- ever.
So you don't just wake up one day in your late 60s and change that dramatically.
What about her recent marriage?
It seems to me that Frankie Jones is not her regular type.
No, he's not.
My father was a doctor.
This guy, what is he, a slimy, wannabe rock star?
She wouldn't have given him a second glance if they'd met in the outside world.
Maybe they had a connection you don't understand.
Like, maybe she liked his music.
His last wife died less than a year ago.
My mother lived in an exclusive gated community.
LSD, drowning in a bathtub, that -- that doesn't happen in places like that.
It doesn't happen to people like her.
♪ Anything on the necklace?
I did a sweep of every local jewellery store catalogue I could find, but nothing that matches.
Well, maybe try eBay -- Oh!
Hi.
What are you doing here?
Investigating the manager guy, like you said.
From the comfort of your couch.
Was that not clear?
But I drove all this way.
Fine.
We'll go talk to Jeff in person.
But follow my lead, okay?
And don't say anything silly.
I won't.
You're sisters?
Mm-hm, half.
We didn't know about each other until five years ago.
I ordered my birth certificate online -- We've heard such terrific things about your facility, we'd like to check it out for Dad.
While he's in Madagascar.
While he's in Madagascar.
Mm-hm.
Of course.
I should mention, due to our reputation, there is a lengthy waiting list.
And we'd like to add Dad's name to it, as soon as we've taken a look around.
Golf course is that way.
Tennis courts.
Outdoor pool.
Indoor pool.
Phew!
I mean, I am this close to moving in myself.
[Chuckles] Ooh, is that petanque?
So this waiting list, what are we talking about?
People are registering in their late 30s, early 40s.
Come now, who thinks about these things that far ahead?
Well, clients who appreciate the finer things in life.
[Chuckles] So, surely vacancies come up from time to time.
I mean, that happens in rest homes, right?
Oh.
[Chuckles softly] This is not a rest home.
Absolutely not.
Take a look around.
But, look... [Clears throat] ...where there's a will, there's a way, and if your father wants this badly enough, then, um... Are you saying what I think you're saying?
Well, just as we have different levels of villas, perhaps we have different tiers on the waiting list.
Where did your sister get to?
Oh.
♪ When were you gonna tell me you'd been released?
Oh.
Turns out I don't have to.
You found me anyway.
Once a detective... [Chuckles softly] How'd you get out so early?
Oh, I transferred to a prison apartment.
I can work, participate in approved activities, visit family.
When were you planning on doing that?
When I'm given the address and the invitation.
I know you don't like surprises.
[Sighs] Since when have you known anything about gardening?
Since I was given the choice between doing this and picking up litter on the side of the road.
Turns out I'm an expert gardener all of a sudden.
Helps when there's a dozen old girls willing to pass on their extensive knowledge.
Made a few fans, have you?
Oh, they like to chew my ear off when I'm working.
Then they find out about my finance background -- they're always keen on a little advice.
And when they find out about your fraud and prison background?
I'm a changed man, Alexa.
Look at me.
I'll text you my address.
Come visit me.
Well, I only have to look at plants and they die.
Have you ever tried a succulent garden?
Oh, um, Alexa.
This is my new friend, Marianne.
Hello.
Hello.
I understand you're taking a tour on behalf of your father.
Yes, I am.
Five-star recommendation from me.
But there's a waiting list.
That's what I understand.
Though, uh, this one appears to be empty.
Poor Jean -- passed away quite suddenly.
Oh, really?
I'm so sorry to hear that.
And what tier is this apartment?
Top end.
Nothing but the best for Jean.
I wondered if her husband might take it, actually.
Poor Frankie.
He's in an entry-level unit across the other side.
Frankie...Frankie Jones?
Well, that was a friend of our father's.
Oh.
Well, I can pass on the message.
He'll be at the Sailor's Thirst.
It's a pub.
Always been a bit of a barfly -- more so since Jean died.
Mm.
All right.
Well, thank you so much for the tour, and we'll be in touch.
Well, don't leave it too long.
The list only gets longer.
Uh-huh.
♪ ♪ ♪ [Indistinct chatter] I think you've got the wrong leaner, doll.
Frankie Jones?
You don't know me.
My name's Alexa Crowe.
A friend of yours from Day Dawn told me I'd find you here.
I just wanted to talk to you about your wife, Jean.
You know her?
No, but I did just meet her son, Kane.
I loved his mum.
I wasn't after anything.
I just... loved her.
So, you were married once before.
I lost Rochelle last year.
Jean knew what it was like.
We kept each other company.
One thing led to another.
What was Jean like?
Too good for the likes of me.
You must have something going for you if Jean fell for you.
Oh, maybe she liked my, uh, creativity.
I'd play her some of my demos.
She loved that.
And I was also useful for opening jars, that sort of thing.
[Chuckles] Jean could barely open the front door, let alone a jar of pickles.
She had terrible arthritis.
Poor thing.
So the night Jean died, you were here, doing your regular Wednesday night gig.
Yeah, yeah.
That's the one.
Look, maybe you can talk to Kane.
It's hard enough trying to live without her.
I'm no bloody gold-digger.
I'm not.
And besides, we've only been hitched for a couple of months, so I'm not gonna be in her will or anything.
If you're married, you don't need a will to contest her estate.
I don't need Jean's money.
In Kane's defence, being told that your clean-living mum has been found dead with enough LSD in her system to ground a horse, it's kinda hard to believe.
Well, maybe if you lived where I live, you wouldn't find it that unusual.
Thank you.
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Ow.
Damn.
[Water rushing] ♪ Hi.
How'd you get in here?
Door was unlocked.
I just love how safe all the residents feel here.
I'll be sure to tell Dad.
Ahh.
Dear old Dad.
Currently in Mauritius, right?
Madagascar.
You know what I hate more than a time waster?
A liar.
You and your sister are full of it.
You've got bigger problems than us, mate.
Like what?
Like the fact that Jean was not alone here the night she died.
You're looking at a murder.
♪ You're here.
Yes.
And we've actually got -- Jean has arthritis.
She couldn't even open a pickle jar, yet I could barely turn on her bath tap.
She would have needed help.
She wasn't alone.
Oh, actually, speaking of not alone -- [Door opens] And I'm pretty sure that Frankie Jones' alibi was crap.
How are ya?
What?
You said I could come by.
Thanks.
Ta-da.
I didn't even give you my address yet.
Oh, I got it from Jeff.
I didn't know I had a half sister.
Why did you let him in?
He could have been anybody.
Oh, no, no, no, no.
I-I was thought he was your -- your brother.
That's what he said.
I am.
You just believe anything that any random guy tells you?
No.
I saw him on the village Facebook page, and you guys look alike.
Out.
Oh, okay.
Out.
Alright, alright, alright.
Alright!
Ta-ta.
Well, I can see you still have impeccable manners.
So, what else did you tell Jeff?
Look, if I'd known that you were there investigating Jean's death instead of visiting me... Who said I'm investigating anything?
Come on, a detective can't change it's spots.
Can you?
I'm more of a stripes guy.
Yeah.
Matches the steel bars.
Oh, I'm starting to feel like you still don't trust me.
You, who's suddenly best mates with a bunch of wealthy, vulnerable senior citizens?
Oh, come on.
Have you actually met a straight, white guy over 60?
There's literally no one less vulnerable.
Hey, I could be your man on the inside of the village.
[Chowder meows] Oh, hello, handsome.
Ohhh.
Oh, what's your name?
Was Jean the type to take recreational drugs?
Well, there's a lot of party-harders there, but, no, Jean was not one of them.
What about Frankie and Jean?
Did they seem happy?
Oh, yeah.
They were as happy as you and this guy.
Who is he?
That is my little friend, Chowder.
[Chowder meows] Well, I gotta go, anyway.
Curfew.
Don't worry, the nasty man's gone.
♪ [Cellphone rings] Hey.
Um, I'm sorry I let your brother in.
How did you go, looking into Jeff?
Well, he used to work in advertising.
He's single, no kids.
I wanna know if he's bumping off residents to get that waiting list down.
Um, okay.
Not the kind of intel I can find on Facebook or Linkedln.
Well, you heard him say it, there's ways to jump the queue.
If he's pocketing bribes, then it's in his interest to make sure that vacancies arise.
He needs new openings.
Copy.
♪ Wow, Jeff, are you actually still using WEP protocol?
[Tsks softly] ♪ ♪ Health stats from the village -- any deaths the police attended over the past 10 years.
Most departures from places like these are natural causes, as you say.
What, you wanted to meet for this?
Haven't you heard of email?
I wanted to check if you're okay.
Of course.
Why wouldn't I be?
Shall we cut the crap now, Alexa?
I know Will's your brother.
Why didn't you just say?
I just don't like to boast about my family achievements.
$4.2 mil in converted funds from his clients is quite an achievement.
If it makes you feel any better, my cousin Chris did six months for a botched liquor store robbery.
He barricaded himself inside the beer fridge to evade police.
We just waited until he got too cold, and he had to come out again.
[Sucks teeth] Thanks, Harry.
You wanna get a coffee?
Eh... Got places to be, eh?
Stuff to do?
Well, I'm not going to break into an old lady's retirement unit, if that's what you're worried about.
♪ Hello there!
You're very keen to inspect that villa for your father, aren't you?
I sure am.
But the layouts are identical, aren't they?
Could I take a look at yours?
Gosh, you get around.
Used to.
You know, the idea of an organised tour has never really appealed to me.
I mean, what if the people you're stuck with are .....?
Well, sometimes they are.
More often than not, they're like-minded folk.
Uh-huh.
I suppose you're going to ask where my significant other is?
Certainly not.
Oh, most people do.
"No pictures of your husband.
Where are the grandchildren?'"
How bloody rude.
Oh, Jakarta.
Now, she was an appalling bloody roommate.
Rude to the waiters, hotel staff.
Well, the picture's still up.
Our memories make us what we are.
Can't edit the past.
Were, um,... you and Jean Hartigan close?
We met when we both moved in here, but in a place like this, you know, you have a lot to do with each other.
Was it weird that she died on LSD?
You're not here looking for a unit for your father, are you?
Well, her son still has a few questions.
Well, what can I tell you?
A few of us got together for a drink and a boogie -- pretty typical for a Wednesday.
Jean started feeling unwell, so I asked her what she'd taken.
LSD, as it turns out.
A pretty typical Wednesday night, you say?
We like to let loose sometimes.
So you're spending your retirement taking Class A?
I definitely did not say that -- not to a police officer.
Police detective, retired.
It's just that, well, Jean's son is under the impression that his mother was a teetotaller.
Know what I've noticed about the adult children of my friends?
They think we should be in our rocking chairs, doing Sudoku for the rest of our lives.
What do you say to that?
Words a woman of my age shouldn't be saying.
♪ [Sucks teeth] Can I help you?
That's my line.
You've been sitting on that one peppermint tea for quite some time now.
Hi.
It's Madison.
Mads?
Please leave a message.
Um, Madison, I need you.
I found something out about Alexa's brother.
Wait, Alexa has a brother?
Why are you still here?
[Scoffs softly] Also my line.
So, where did the LSD come from?
What makes you think I would know?
Oh, just get kind of a queen-bee vibe from you.
I am head of the social committee, Alexa, not the village drug dealer.
Have you asked Jean's husband?
Of course.
Well, there's also management.
The facilitators around here certainly don't seem to mind facilitating.
[Door opens] Alexa.
Will.
You know each other!
Um... I was just -- Marianne offered me some cuttings.
Bless you, darling.
You remember sugar this time?
'Course.
[Chuckles] ♪ ♪ Will?
♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ Yes, Jeff has a separate savings account, and, yes, it has a bunch of deposits -- 10K, 15K.
So he is taking bribes to help people jump the queue.
So I checked all of the recent deaths at the village, and then I cross-referenced the dates with Jeff's iCal, but most of the time, he was elsewhere.
[Thud] Hmm.
Um... He's got a thing for seminars, those get-rich-quick guys.
And, um... yeah.
He's taking bribes, but... He's not knocking people off.
No.
Bugger.
[Sighs] Oh well.
Anything else?
Um... Come on.
Spit it out.
Tell me.
Oh, actually, nah.
You do know I can reach you from here, right?
[Chuckles awkwardly] Yeah.
Oh, um... W-Well, Blaine is actually, um, he's Dungeon Master tonight, and I said that I would go support him, so -- Wait.
I'm gonna -- Tell me.
[Sighs] Um... I may have looked at the contents of your brother's device too.
There have been multiple deposits into Will's account since he started working at the village.
And I checked all of the names.
They're all residents.
And, um, I'm really sorry, Alexa, but... What?
Jean Hartigan... she gave Will 2 grand the day before she died.
♪ [Indistinct conversation] Will.
Hey, sis.
Hello.
Cheers, Tabitha.
Yeah, kawakawa.
I'll, uh, I'll look into that.
That's...a good tip.
Thanks.
Did you know that kawakawa leaves can be used on cuts?
Have you been selling drugs to the old folks here?
Wow.
Or scamming them?
Which of these things?
Why would you ask me that?
Because $2,000 from Jean the day before she dies in a bathtub... [whispers] ...on LSD.
Do you know what this looks like?
And where am I supposed to have got LSD from?
Oh, hell, did you not make friends in jail?
Yeah, I'm making more friends here, alright?
And I wouldn't rip them off or do anything else to hurt them.
♪ [Knock on door] Darn it.
I'm not selling drugs, okay?
I'm starting a business -- landscaping.
I need investors.
Jean and some of the others were keen to be a part of it.
It's legit.
What about the nurse?
Well, as it happens, yeah, she's my angel investor.
You're sleeping with her.
Look, I came to tell you, you needn't worry about your wayward brother any more, alright?
I'm on the level.
And what about your girlfriend?
I don't really like using that word.
I'm serious, Will.
Is she on the level?
'Cos if Jean is as straight as everybody says and she finds out there's a drug trade at her new home, maybe someone stopped her before she went public.
Okay, well, how are you gonna prove that theory?
I've got a man on the inside.
Oh no.
No, no, no, no, no, no.
I wasn't serious.
Find out if Tabitha is dealing drugs.
I think I'd know.
Oh, you share all your secrets, do you?
Well, it's not really that kind of relationship.
Well, it's about to be.
Just gain her trust, ask the right questions, be an understanding ear.
Oh, you mean manipulate and deceive her?
This is what you do, isn't it?
Is this what you do?
♪ What time you on?
Oh, not till late.
We gotta get these new kids out of the way.
You see the singer?
It's gonna be past her bedtime soon.
When did they cancel your regular gig, Frankie?
♪ About six months ago, the pub had a bit of a makeover -- trying to attract a younger crowd.
Jean thought it was cool that I was a musician.
Her and her friends down at the village... I'm a bit of a hero, you know, to them.
So you never told anyone that you'd lost your regular gig?
I lied to Jean every week.
I even made excuses so she wouldn't come down here.
Just a pride thing, I think.
But every Wednesday, I'd pack my guitar and my amp, come down here and have a few beers.
Then I'd go home again.
I still do.
Why not try another venue?
No, no, no, no.
I'm over all of that, the hustle.
[Sighs] It's been almost 40 years.
Well, if you change your mind, let me know.
I'd like to hear a Frankie Jones original.
Hey, Frankie, was Jean religious?
She wear a cross around her neck or anything?
No, not religious.
And she didn't wear any jewellery -- her arthritis, you know?
She couldn't do those clasp thingies.
Right.
Thanks.
I appreciate the investment.
I just think you should keep your money.
You said I'd be a fool to pass up the opportunity.
Is that not true?
Well, I j-- Yeah, I think it's gonna be a while to see the profits, and I've been thinking, you know, I know what the pay is like for nurses in aged care.
Unless there's something I don't know.
Hmm?
Oh, look, I'm not gonna -- I'm not gonna say anything.
I just don't want you spending your last pennies on my business.
You've seen what the people here get up to.
What, they're scoring from you?
[Chuckles] Medical marijuana is legal.
Oh, these guys are doing more than just popping a little green to help with their aches and pains, though, aren't they?
[Whispers] Oh, come on.
What if Jeff finds out?
Who do you think pays me the bonuses to keep them supplied?
♪ So management is paying Tabitha to deal Class A drugs to senior citizens?
Well, no wonder that place is so popular.
[Chuckles softly] Question is, which one wanted to keep poor old Jean quiet?
Well, it wasn't Tabitha, okay?
I'm not sleeping with a murderer.
I'll be the judge of that.
[Cellphone rings] Jeff.
How can I help you?
Sure thing.
Um... What?
[Inhales deeply] He wants to have a talk about terminating my community service.
Well, what does that mean, picking up trash on the side of the road?
Best-case scenario, or worst-case... Back inside?
♪ You're rocking those shoes, lady.
Thank you, Alexa.
Going somewhere special?
Tinder date.
But the best I'm hoping for is a free panini.
Is that a euphemism?
Alas, not.
Eligible men of my age are few and far between, but I don't mind being shouted lunch.
Just take a seat, Marjorie.
Hello...Will's sister.
And ex-police detective.
Hi.
I have back-to-back appointments.
What was Marianne in here after, a little help with her joints?
Oh, you're kidding me.
Will told you.
Well, we're family.
We like to share.
You know what?
There is nothing wrong or illegal about medical marijuana.
What about medical LSD?
It's not just pot you're supplying.
There's some mushrooms, MDMA.
People don't move into Day Dawn to wither away doing jigsaw puzzles.
People deserve to enjoy their retirement however they want.
Until one of them dies of an overdose.
Jean never came to me for any extras, not even pot.
If she'd asked for LSD, no way.
I would've said no.
I tried to keep her safe.
That's my job.
I'm so sorry about what happened to her.
Come with me.
♪ If Jeff finds out I've let you in... Oh, yeah, yeah, keep your hair on.
Hmm.
Yeah, we really should hurry.
Uh-huh.
Fine.
[Camera shutter clicks] ♪ What are you doing?
There.
[Camera shutter clicks] Oh, you're bonkers, you know that?
Uh-huh.
[Gasps] Oh.
Um... No, I just -- I just found her in here.
I was asking her to leave.
Hi, Jeff.
You are trespassing again.
And this is just ghoulish.
Why are you so uptight about me looking around?
Is it your nurse's side hustle or your own?
I don't know what you're talking about.
Well, that lengthy waiting list of yours.
Of course, there's always a way around it, isn't there, if you've got an extra 10 or 20 grand?
And let's face it, those get-rich-quick seminars don't come cheap.
I want you to leave.
Ooh, I'm gonna leave.
But my brother stays.
He likes this gig, and you're not gonna take it from him.
Not unless you want a call from my friends in blue, asking about all those bribes you've been taking.
♪ [Door closes] [Sighs] Hey.
Ohhh, not affogatos.
Will!
When I said you could come, I didn't mean every day.
Um... Bonjour.
Help yourself, Alexa.
[Chokes] We're hugging, right?
Come on, bring it in.
Aww.
[Chuckles] [Both chuckle] Yeah, see, I was trying to call her, but she wasn't answering.
Because I was on a plane.
I would love to catch up, but I've got a non-accidental drug overdose and drowning to solve.
Sorry.
It's like I was never away.
So I'm lying there, staring at the ceiling... Yeah, I can't believe you got in the bath.
Of course she got in the bath.
...and I see this.
Pinholes?
Yeah, four, fresh.
Someone stuck a poster up above that bath.
Was there anything there when the police attended?
No.
Which means that whoever put it there took it down before they left.
The killer wanted to show something to Jean before she died.
[Scoffs] Why?
Because this isn't about money or keeping Jean quiet -- this murder is personal.
♪ Hey, listen, I just want you to do one more thing for me.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no.
Yeah, listen -- No.
Your man on the inside is hanging up his hat.
Tabitha dumped me, thank you very much.
The handsome and charismatic Will Crowe?
Yeah, another girlfriend scared off by his sister , it's embarrassing.
Oh, unthinkable.
Another drug-dealing girlfriend.
Anyway, it's not about her.
I need you to invite someone else out.
No, I've got a lot of work on.
So you didn't lose your community service gig.
No.
I wonder what changed Jeff's mind.
[Sighs] [Laughs] The panini.
♪ ♪ [Camera shutter clicks] [Camera shutter clicks] ♪ Marianne Smalls, on the straight and narrow for decades.
She did have some trouble when she was younger -- petty theft, possession.
She lived in Wellington -- moved to Auckland about eight years ago.
What about Jean?
Auckland born and bred.
She moved to Day Dawn a year ago.
Marianne followed not long after.
Looking at timelines, it might be hard to draw parallels between Jean and Marianne, if that's what you're trying to do.
What do you think that is?
Maybe a seatbelt scar?
That's what I was thinking.
Yes, Jean Hartigan was involved in a fatal car accident in 1964.
But she was named in the news under her maiden name, Jean Glover.
Alexa: Why was named in the article?
Because she was driving.
She smashed into a car full of teenagers, killing Sandy Black, aged 16.
Is there an image for Sandy Black?
Sure is.
I can send it to you.
Freckles, brunette, short bob?
How did you know that?
I'm looking at her.
♪ If you're looking for Will, you won't find him here.
I had to gently tell him he's not my type.
I'm not looking for Will.
I just had one more question about Jean.
Oh, of course.
Is Sandy the reason you killed her?
♪ You've been going through my personal things.
Yes.
Well, I, uh -- I was just trying to find the poster that you tacked to the bathroom ceiling to torment Jean before you killed her.
♪ In 1964, you and your friends were in a terrible car accident.
You were lucky to survive, and the whiplash injuries were enough to scar you for life, but your best friend, Sandy, she didn't make it.
I'm sorry.
That must have been devastating for you.
But the driver, the girl who got drunk and then got behind the wheel, there were... no injuries, no punishment.
In fact, the judge deemed her to be a promising student and decided that she had suffered enough.
You could have had a much different life.
Sandy was supposed to be beside you.
You were gonna conquer the world together.
But a stranger took her from you, and that stranger went on to live happily ever after.
She had a successful career and a family and... true love, twice.
Well, it's just too much.
So you moved to Auckland, and you were just slowly circling, and when you heard that she'd moved into this place, whoa, you saw your opportunity.
All you needed was a small bribe to Jeff to jump the waitlist.
And when you realised this village was party-pill town, you had your plan, easy.
You went to her, and you offered to run her a nice, warm bath.
Drugs or not... Jean would have fought for her life, and I'll bet you anything that the heel impression from these shoes matches the bruises police found on Jean's chest.
You pressed down with your heel to drown her.
♪ [Sighs] Sandy would have been a remarkable adult.
She would have achieved great things.
Jean lived the life she should have.
She stole it from Sandy.
You said you can't edit your past, but you did.
You cut out all the good things.
Good things?!
[Gasps] [Breathing heavily] What good?
[Breathing laboriously] Oh, I tried.
I did.
Uh... Everywhere I went, the trips, the holidays -- you can go all over the world... ♪ ...but your broken heart goes with you.
It should've been us here... [Voice breaking] ...growing old together, Sandy and I.
[Sobs] It should've been.
♪ [Sighing deeply] ♪ Well, this'll get the waiting list down a bit -- murder at the retirement village.
♪ ♪ You going in?
Hmm, I don't know if I'm ready to join your social circle just yet.
I think I might head home, work on my business problem.
H-How much money are we talking about... to invest?
Why?
You wanna invest?
Well, better you lose my money than the old dears down at the retirement home.
[Chuckles] The old dears that are running around doing drugs, killing each other?
Just send me a prospectus -- 'cos I trust you.
Alright, you don't have to humour me, sis.
Who's humouring anyone?
I saw the gardens of that place.
I think you finally found your talent.
Hmm.
So are you gonna go home and plant something , or are you gonna come in?
It was Interpol, right?
Mm-hm.
Yeah, I bet.
Yay, it's Alexa with our drinks.
Or you weren't in Paris at all.
You were at the farm in Virginia, a training facility so secretive it's very existence -- Whoa.
If the lady says she was visiting your aunt, she was visiting her aunt.
Have some respect for her privacy.
Yeah.
Reuben?
I'm buying the auntie story, eh?
Hey, you're back.
Yeah, and don't bother asking her where she's been, either.
Thought I saw your brother on the way up.
He okay?
Yeah, he's good.
Frankie: Good evening, ladies and gentlemen.
I'm Frankie Goes to Palmerston.
[Laughter] Look, this next song is dedicated to the love of my life, Jean.
RIP, lol.
[Snickers] Did he just say "lol"?
He thinks it's "lots of love."
[Chuckles] [Cheers and applause] ♪ Baby, I've been watching you Whoa, he is way better than I expected.
Yeah, if you give people a chance, they can surprise you.
♪ Everything you do Crowd: ♪ Watching everything you do ♪ And I just can't help but feeling ♪ Harry.
Wanna go crowd-surfing?
♪ Someone else is stealing you away from me ♪ ♪ I see it written in your eyes ♪ ♪ I see it written in your eyes ♪ ♪ And you confirm it with your lies ♪ ♪ You confirm it with your lies ♪ ♪ Though the web you weave can hold me ♪ ♪ I would rather that you told me where you wanna be ♪ [Cheering, laughter] ♪ Ooh, you're slipping away from me ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪
Support for PBS provided by:
My Life is Murder is presented by your local public television station.
Distributed nationally by American Public Television















