AUTHORITIES ABOUT THAT NIGHT:
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" I HEARD SOMEBODY SLAMMING OPEN MY DOOR, AND THEN I HEARD A GUNSHOT .">> A SHOOTER SNUCK INTO THE HOUSE, WENT UP TO THE TOP FLOOR WHERE ANDRA AND BRAD WERE IN BED, AND OPENED FIRE. >> Reporter: IT WAS A HOME INVASION OF THE MOST NIGHTMARISH KIND-- NOTHING STOLEN, JUST KILLING FOR THE SAKE OF KILLING .>> ALEXIS SAID SHE HID IN HER BED UNTIL SHE HEARD HER LITTLE BROTHER CRYING ." HE WAS CRYING FOR HELP. HE WAS BLEEDING. HE COULDN'T FEEL HIS LEGS .">> Reporter: WHO WOULD ATTACK A FAMILY, CRIPPLING AN EIGHT- YEAR- OLD CHILD AND UNLEASHING HELL ON HIS SLEEPING PARENTS ?>> " I WENT INTO MY PARENTS' BEDROOM ." AND THE D. A. SAYS, " WERE YOU ABLE TO TALK TO THEM ?" SHE SAYS, " NO .">> THEY'D BEEN SHOT MULTIPLE TIMES IN THE FACE. THE SHOOTER HAD LEFT NO ROOM FOR THESE PEOPLE NOT TO BE KILLED. THE SCENE WAS A MESS .>> I WAS JUST STUNNED. THIS WAS UNBELIEVABLE. IT STUNNED THE WHOLE COMMUNITY .>> Reporter: MONTE BURGHARDT IS A REALTOR IN ORANGE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA .>> THIS IS THE O. C. THIS IS THE ORANGE COUNTY RIVIERA, AS IT'S CALLED. THE FINEST BEACHES, THE FINEST LIFESTYLE OF THE RICH AND FAMOUS. WE'RE LIVING AND LOVING THE AMERICAN DREAM ON THE EDGE OF THE U. S. A ., AND THAT'S IN SOUTH ORANGE COUNTY. IT'S BEAUTIFUL ALL YEAR ROUND. >> Reporter: HE AND ANDRA MADE SOME MONEY TOGETHER, BUT SHE WAS IN CHARGE .>> SHE WORKED OUT. SHE WAS BUXOM. SHE WAS VERY FEMININE. BUT SHE WAS LIKE XENA, PRINCESS WARRIOR. SHE WAS LIKE AN AMAZON .>> ANDRA WAS BIGGER THAN LIFE. SHE WAS DRIVEN TO SUCCEED AND WANTED THE SAME FOR HER FRIENDS AND FAMILY .>> Reporter: NINA LIFSHULTZ WAS ONE OF ANDRA'S CLOSEST FRIENDS. AT THE FUNERAL, SHE TOLD EVERYONE JUST HOW HUMBLE ANDRA'S BEGINNINGS WERE. SHE STARTED OUT AS A POTATO CHIP SALESPERSON .>> I DON'T KNOW IF YOU GUYS ALL KNEW THIS, STOCKING SHELVES AS A RETAIL FRITO LAY BROCKS SALESPERSON .>> Reporter: FROM THERE, SHE BUILT HER FORTUNE, MOVING FROM POTATO CHIPS TO COMPUTER CHIPS. AND WHEN IT CAME TO BUSINESS, ANDRA WAS AGGRESSIVE, LIKE THE TIME SHE DROPPED EVERYTHING TO CHASE A DEAL ON SURPLUS COMPUTER ELECTRONICS .>> EVERYONE IN THE UNITED STATES WAS AFTER THIS DEAL. WHAT ANDRA DID IS, SHE FLEW ACROSS THE COUNTRY TO THE C. E. O. 'S HOUSE AND INTRODUCED HERSELF ON HIS DOORSTEP. I'M NOT KIDDING .>> Reporter: ANDRA HAD A HUNCH SHE COULD MAKE SOME MONEY IF SHE MANAGED TO CONVINCE THE C. E. O. TO GIVE HER HIS STOCK OF SURPLUS MEMORY CHIPS AND LET HER TURN AROUND AND SELL THEM. IT WORKED .>> SHE GOT THE INVENTORY, MADE THE SALE, AND SHE NEVER LOOKED BACK .>> SHE WAS LIVING THE AMERICAN DREAM LIKE I'VE NEVER SEEN IN MY 35 YEARS AS A REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL. SHE DID NOT COME FROM A WEALTHY FAMILY .>> Reporter: FROM THERE, ANDRA STARTED AMASSING OTHER BUSINESSES-- REAL ESTATE, MOSTLY, IN CALIFORNIA, NEVADA, WASHINGTON AND FLORIDA. HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE HER BUSINESS SAVVY ?>> SHE HAD AN UNCANNY SENSE OF TIMING ABOUT INVESTMENTS .>> Reporter: SHE WAS AGGRESSIVE? >> AGGRESSIVE, YES .>> Reporter: A SHARK? >> UH... PIRANHA .>> Reporter: THE OTHER VICTIM IN THIS STORY WAS ANDRA'S EX- HUSBAND, BRAD SACHS, A POPULAR AND HANDSOME SURFER WHO CAME FROM MONEY AND HELPED HER IN HER BUSINESS .>> I LIKED BRAD. HE WAS ONLY A YEAR YOUNGER THAN ME. WE WERE RIVALS. I PLAYED FOOTBALL AGAINST HIM, RAN TRACK, AND... AND HE SURFED. HIS FATHER WAS A WORLD- RENOWNED SURFER .>> Reporter: BUT BRAD AND ANDRA'S RELATIONSHIP WAS COMPLICATED. THEY'D BEEN DIVORCED SINCE 1999 BUT STILL LIVED TOGETHER, RAISING THEIR CHILDREN. AND BY MOST ACCOUNTS, THEY CARED DEEPLY ABOUT THEIR KIDS, ALL FIVE OF THEM, TWO GIRLS AND THREE BOYS-- LANA, 15, AND ALEXIS, 17; LANDON, EIGHT; MYLES, 21; AND 19- YEAR- OLD ASHTON-- WHO WERE BOTH LIVING IN WASHINGTON STATE AT THE TIME OF THE SHOOTINGS .>> HE DID EVERYTHING SO WELL. HE WAS SO WELL- ROUNDED .>> Reporter: AT THE FUNERAL, ASHTON SPOKE LOVINGLY OF HIS FATHER ...>> HE WAS THE ONLY PERSON I'VE EVER MET WHO COULD DO AS MUCH AS MY MOM. THEY WERE JUST ABSOLUTELY PERFECT FOR EACH OTHER. THEY WERE THE PERFECT TEAM. >> Reporter: ... AND HIS MOTHER .>> SHE WAS JUST AN INCREDIBLE PERSON. AND SHE DID MORE IN HER 54 YEARS THAN MOST PEOPLE CAN DO IN TEN LIFETIMES .>> Reporter: IN SPITE OF ANDRA'S SUCCESSES AND THE FAMILY'S LAVISH LIFESTYLES, THEY SUFFERED TRAGEDY. FIRST, IT WAS A POOL ACCIDENT 15 YEARS BEFORE THE MURDERS. WITH BRAD AND ANDRA AWAY AT WORK, THEIR DAUGHTER, SABRINA, FELL IN. THE ONE- AND- A- HALF- YEAR- OLD TODDLER, WHO HAD BEEN IN THE CARE OF A HOUSEKEEPER, DROWNED. AFTER THAT TRAGEDY, BRAD AND ANDRA'S MARRIAGE APPARENTLY SHATTERED .>> IT WAS, YOU KNOW, A REALLY CONTENTIOUS DIVORCE .>> Reporter: LESLEY SUMMERS AND STEPHANIE GARBER ARE ANDRA SACHS' SISTERS. >> THEY BATTLED FOR CUSTODY, THE HOLDINGS, THE BUSINESS. THEY EVEN HAD A KNOCKDOWN, DRAG- OUT FIGHT AND FILED A POLICE REPORT .>> Reporter: BUT AS QUICKLY AS IT STARTED, THE BATTLE ENDED. THE FIGHTING WAS OVER, AND THE DIVORCE WAS FINALIZED. BUT SURPRISINGLY, ANDRA AND BRAD RECONCILED. THEY MOVED BACK IN TOGETHER BUT NEVER REMARRIED, AND, ACCORDING TO RELATIVES, ANDRA CUT BRAD OUT OF THE MONEY. FOR A TIME, THINGS WERE PEACEFUL. THEN CAME THAT TERRIBLE NIGHT IN FEBRUARY 2014 .>> THIS WAS AN INCREDIBLY BRUTAL SCENE. I MEAN, THEY WERE SHOT MULTIPLE TIMES ...>>\ 911, WHAT IS ...>> ... A LITTLE BOY WAS TARGETED, A GIRL WAS TARGETED, PARENTS KILLED IN THEIR BEDS .>> BRAD AND ANDRA HAD HAD A NUMBER OF BUSINESS CONFLICTS WITH VARIOUS PARTIES AND UPSET A NUMBER OF PEOPLE, AND THAT BECAME PRETTY APPARENT PRETTY QUICKLY. AND BOTH THE BROTHERS HAD PROVIDED US A LIST OF NAMES OF PEOPLE WHO HAD BEEN INVOLVED IN EXTENSIVE LITIGATION WITH BRAD AND ANDRA. >> ASHTON SAID THAT WHEN THE DETECTIVES CAME AND ASKED HIM WHO THEY THOUGHT THAT MIGHT KILL ANDRA, THEY GAVE THE DETECTIVES A LIST OF ENEMIES THIS LONG. TWO PAGES FULL .>> Reporter: AND ASHTON MAY HAVE HAD GOOD REASON FOR HIS SUSPICIONS. HE MAY HAVE SEEN COMMENTS ON A WEB SITE, COMMENTS CRITICIZING ANDRA'S AND BRAD'S BUSINESS PRACTICES .>> " FRANKLY, ANDRA AND BRAD ARE EXACTLY WHERE THEY BELONG-- SIX FEET BELOW THE SURFACE, BEING CANNIBALIZED BY THE SAME INSECTS WHO THEY HAD THEIR TENANTS LIVE WITH IN THEIR RENTALS .">> TONIGHT, DETECTIVES ARE SEARCHING FOR A SUSPECT AND A MOTIVE. ANSWERS MAY LIE IN THEIR BUSINESS DEALINGS .>> MONEY, SEX AND REVENGE, THOSE ARE THE THREE MOTIVATIONS FOR SOMEBODY TO COMMIT A MURDER. AND THERE WERE QUITE A FEW PEOPLE WHO WERE ANGRY WITH ANDRA .>> WHERE THE... THE TRAIL LED US WAS TO THESE BUSINESS DEALINGS AND PEOPLE THAT ANDRA AND BRAD MAY HAVE SCORNED, POSSIBLY RIPPED OFF. >> HERE ARE SOME EXAMPLES OF COMPLAINTS THAT PEOPLE POSTED ONLINE ABOUT BRAD AND ANDRA. " I HAVE PEACE OF MIND WHILE YOU HIDE BEHIND YOUR GATED HOME WITH A DOG PATROLLING THE YARD BECAUSE YOU HAVE SCREWED SO MANY PEOPLE OVER. YOU WILL HAVE TO ANSWER TO GOD FOR THE EVIL, BLACK- HEARTED WITCH THAT YOU ARE. KARMA IS A BITCH .">> Reporter: THE CRIME SCENE LOOKED ANGRY, TOO, THE BEDROOM SHOT TO PIECES. WE'RE HERE AT A GUN RANGE IN LOS ANGELES WHERE WE CONSTRUCTED A MOCKUP OF PART OF THE SACHS' BEDROOM TO DEMONSTRATE HOW CLOSE THE SHOOTER WAS TO THE VICTIMS AND THE NUMBER OF ROUNDS OF GUNFIRE .(\ RAPID GUNSHOTS \)>> Reporter: WEAPONS EXPERT NABIL KHATTAR. HOW CLOSE WAS THE SHOOTER TO THE VICTIMS? >> MY UNDERSTANDING, HE WAS AT VERY CLOSE RANGE .>> Reporter: THE SHOOTER APPARENTLY STOOD JUST FEET FROM HIS VICTIMS, RIGHT IN THE BEDROOM DOORWAY. HE USED A SEMI- AUTOMATIC RIFLE LIKE THIS ONE THAT LOOKS LIKE AN ASSAULT WEAPON .>> WELL, THIS IS A RUGER SR22 RIFLE, MORE LIKE A MILITARY- STYLE TYPE WEAPON. THE RETRACTABLE STOCK, IT ALLOWS YOU TO BE ABLE TO ENTER ROOMS AND NOT HAVE SUCH A LONG BARREL .>> Reporter: HE CAME READY-- READY TO DO SOME SERIOUS DAMAGE .>> CORRECT .>> Reporter: THE SHOOTER FIRED 24 OF THE 25 BULLETS, DEVASTATING FIREPOWER IN THE BEDROOMS OF BRAD AND ANDRA AND THEIR EIGHT- YEAR- OLD SON LANDON. >> AS USUAL, THE DETECTIVES LOOKED AT THE FAMILY, THE PEOPLE CLOSEST TO THE VICTIMS .>> Reporter: ALONG WITH THE PARENTS, THERE WERE THE THREE CHILDREN IN THE HOUSE DURING THE
ATTACK:
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ALEXIS, 17, WHO DODGED A BULLET; LANDON, EIGHT, WHO WAS HIT AND SERIOUSLY WOUNDED; AND LANA, 15, WHO WAS IN HER BEDROOM ON ANOTHER FLOOR. >> BOTH ASHTON AND MYLES GAVE US ALIBIS ON THEIR WHEREABOUTS AT THE TIME OF THE MURDER. THEY WERE 1, 200 MILES AWAY, UP IN WASHINGTON, AT THE TIME THAT WE MADE DEATH NOTIFICATION .>> Reporter: ANDRA HAD SENT THEM AWAY TO GO TO COLLEGE AND LEARN HOW TO MANAGE SOME PROPERTIES SHE OWNED THERE. >> ANDRA, I'VE NEVER MET ANYONE LIKE YOU. EVEN THOUGH YOU'RE MY MOTHER, I CAN'T HELP BUT FEEL THAT WE HAD A RELATIONSHIP WITH ONE ANOTHER WHICH I NEVER KNEW HAD EVEN EXISTED .>> Reporter: 21- YEAR- OLD MYLES WAS THE BIG BROTHER, BUT EVERYONE SAID ANDRA'S AND BRAD'S SECOND SON, ASHTON, WAS THE BRIGHTEST. >> THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO THEM WAS JUST THE FAMILY, ALL OF US. AND THEY JUST LOVED ALL OF US SO MUCH .>> Reporter: WHAT WERE HIS ASPIRATIONS? WHAT DID HE WANT TO DO ?>> HE TOLD ME BEFORE HE LEFT FOR SEATTLE THAT HE WAS GOING TO MAJOR IN COMPUTER SCIENCE .>> Reporter: SINCE THE BOYS WERE BOTH LIVING OUT OF STATE IN WASHINGTON, DETECTIVES MOVED ON TO WHAT THEY CONSIDERED STRONGER SUSPECTS. >> HE SAID TO ME, " BEFORE WE GO ANY FURTHER, I HAVE TO ASK YOU QUESTIONS. IT'S A FORMALITY. IS THERE ANY REASON YOU'D WANT TO HURT ANDRA AND BRAD SACHS ?" I SAID, " ARE YOU KIDDING ?" THEY WERE MY LIFE, YOU KNOW? AND MY INCOME, TOO, AT THE TIME. AND I SAID, " NO WAY .">> ABOUT THREE WEEKS INTO THE CASE, WE HAD A MAJOR BREAK WHERE IT WAS LIKE THE HEAVENS PARTED .>> Reporter: IT WAS A CLUE DISCOVERED 1, 200 MILES NORTH OF THE CRIME SCENE, HERE IN SEATTLE, WASHINGTON .>> IT'S QUITE FREQUENT ON OUR CASES, THAT WE DO WANT TO DIVE INTO PHONE RECORDS, BECAUSE THAT TELLS A LOT FOR THE CASE. THERE WAS A PHONE CALL PLACED TO AN AUTO TRANSPORT COMPANY. >> THE CALLER HAD REQUESTED TRANSPORTATION OF A VEHICLE FROM AN ADDRESS IN SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, WHICH HAPPENED TO BE A COMMERCIAL PROPERTY OWNED BY THE SACHS, UP TO SEATTLE .>> WE LEARN THAT THERE'S A WHITE PRIUS THAT THEY HAVE HELD IN A STORAGE FACILITY. SO, SEATTLE DETECTIVES GO TO THE LOCATION. WITH THE SEARCH WARRANT IN HAND, THEY SEARCH THE CAR .>> Reporter: AND WHEN THEY OPENED THE TRUNK, THEY DISCOVERED A GOLD MINE .>> INSIDE THE WHITE PRIUS, SEATTLE P. D. DETECTIVES FOUND A . 22- CALIBER LONG RIFLE THAT WAS USED TO KILL BRAD AND ANDRA SACHS. >> NOW TO BREAKING NEWS FROM SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO. THIS IS A NEWS CONFERENCE GOING UNDERWAY RIGHT NOW .>> WE FEEL CONFIDENT THAT HE IS OUR SUSPECT ON THIS MURDER .>> HOMICIDE INVESTIGATORS ARRESTED ASHTON COLBY SACHS .>> Reporter: THE MURDER SUSPECT WAS THE SACHS' 19- YEAR- OLD SON, ASHTON. THAT WHITE PRIUS IN SEATTLE WAS HIS CAR. AND IT WAS ASHTON WHO JUST DAYS BEFORE, WAS SHEDDING TEARS WHILE HE EULOGIZED HIS MOTHER AND FATHER .>> WHEN THEY ANNOUNCED ASHTON AS THE SUSPECT, IT WAS ALMOST LIKE, " WELL, OF COURSE. OF COURSE IT WAS SOMEBODY RELATED TO THEM ." THE FAMILY HAD SO MANY FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS AND SO MANY FINANCIAL FIGHTS AND LAWSUITS THAT YOU KIND OF GOT WRAPPED UP IN THINKING ABOUT THAT. BUT, I MEAN, IN THE END, MOST MURDERS ARE COMMITTED BY SOMEBODY WHO KNOWS THE VICTIMS AND IS CONNECTED TO THE FAMILY .>> I'LL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS .>> Reporter: IT WAS MARCH 6, 2014, AND THE SHOCKER IS THAT ANDRA AND BRAD'S SON, 19- YEAR- OLD ASHTON, WAS ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH THE PREMEDITATED MURDER .>> ASHTON SACHS WAS CHARGED WITH TWO COUNTS OF MURDER FOR THE MURDER OF HIS PARENTS. HE WAS CHARGED WITH THE ATTEMPTED MURDER OF HIS SISTER, ALEXIS, AND HIS BROTHER, LANDON. THE BULLET PIERCED HIS SPINAL CORD, AND HE'S PARALYZED WITH REALLY NO HOPE OF EVER REGAINING MOBILITY .>> I SAID, " NO, IT CAN'T BE. ASHTON IS SPECIAL .">> WE WERE HORRIFIED AND IN SHOCK OVER THE DEATH, BUT WE BECAME EVEN MORE HORRIFIED WHEN WE FOUND OUT IT WAS HIM .>> Reporter: BEFORE HIS ARREST, ASHTON SPOKE AT HIS PARENT'S FUNERAL. >> I REALLY DO BELIEVE THAT BOTH THEIR ENERGY IS ALIVE, AND THEY WILL CONTINUE TO GUIDE ME THROUGHOUT LIFE .>> Reporter: ARE YOU ANGRY WITH HIM ?>> I'M NOT ANGRY AT HIM, NO. I WANT TO UNDERSTAND WHAT HAPPENED .>> Reporter: BUT HE KILLED YOUR SISTER. >> I THINK THERE'S MORE TO THE STORY .>> AS A KID, I REALLY JUST ALWAYS THOUGHT, " I HAVE PRETTY AWESOME PARENTS ." I... I DON'T KNOW HOW TO SUM UP HOW OR WHY THEY WERE SO AMAZING AND JUST PERFECT PARENTS, OTHER THAN EVERYTHING THEY DID WAS ALWAYS FOR THEIR CHILDREN. >> I FEEL A LOT OF SADNESS ABOUT WHAT HE DID, THAT HE THREW HIS LIFE AWAY. >> Reporter: ASHTON'S ARREST BEGS THE QUESTION ABOUT HIS PERSONALITY AND CHARACTER. IF HE WAS TRULY RESPONSIBLE FOR THESE CRIMES, WAS THERE SOMETHING IN HIS PAST THAT MIGHT HAVE DRIVEN HIM TO THIS? PROBLEM IS, PEOPLE WE SPOKE WITH HAD WIDELY DIFFERING OPINIONS .>> I MET HIM IN SIXTH GRADE .>> Reporter: ASHTON'S CHILDHOOD FRIEND, CONNOR WARD .>> WE STARTED HANGING OUT A LOT AT SCHOOL, EATING LUNCH TOGETHER WITH A COUPLE OTHER KIDS, AND HE HAD A GOOD SENSE OF HUMOR. >> Reporter: CONNOR SAYS ASHTON WAS A BIT OF A NERD AND OFTEN HAD A DIFFICULT TIME IN SCHOOL .>> JUST REALLY RAMBUNCTIOUS. BECAUSE HE GOT PICKED ON A LITTLE MORE THAN I WOULD SAY MOST KIDS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL. >> Reporter: BUT OTHER PEOPLE WOULDN'T AGREE. FOR EXAMPLE, HIS AUNTS DIDN'T THINK HE HAD PROBLEMS IN SCHOOL. THEY CALLED HIM " CHARMING" AND SUCCESSFUL .>> HE WAS FUNNY, AND HE WAS SOCIAL, AND HE WAS CUTE AND HAPPY .>> I THOUGHT HE WAS VERY CARING, AND I NEVER SAW HIM GET ANGRY. I NEVER SAW HIM LOSE HIS TEMPER. HE HAD THE MOST POTENTIAL OUT OF ALL OF THE CHILDREN, ALL OF ANDRA'S CHILDREN. HE WAS THE BRIGHTEST, HE WAS THE SWEETEST, HE'S GOOD- LOOKING. AND HE TOOK A WRONG TURN. >> Reporter: ANDRA'S BUSINESS ASSOCIATE, MONTE BURGHARDT, HAD A DIFFERENT VIEW. HE THOUGHT ASHTON HAD AN EDGE .>> I HAD INTERACTED WITH HIM OVER THE YEARS, AND HE WAS JUST KIND OF DIFFERENT. HE WAS YOUNG. HE WAS 14, 15 YEARS OLD. BUT HE HAD A SADISTIC, WARPED SENSE OF HUMOR. HE LIKED PLAYING PRACTICAL JOKES ON PEOPLE, AND HE KIND OF TERRORIZED PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY DIDN'T KNOW WHERE HE... HE WAS GOING TO COME FROM. AND HIS BROTHERS AND SISTERS WOULD ALWAYS COMPLAIN ABOUT THAT TO THEIR MOM. THERE WERE PRACTICAL JOKES, BUT THEY ALWAYS HAD A SLANT OF TORMENT TO THEM .>> Reporter: AND CONNOR, THE MIDDLE SCHOOL FRIEND, SAID THINGS IN THE SACHS' HOME DIDN'T SEEM RIGHT .>> I WENT OVER THERE ONCE, BUT I... I DIDN'T GO BACK .(\ CHUCKLES \) SOMETHING JUST SEEMED OFF. I DIDN'T GET A GOOD VIBE FROM THE HOUSE. IT WAS A MESS. I MEAN, THERE WASN'T REALLY ANYBODY WATCHING US OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT. PEOPLE WERE LEFT TO FEND FOR THEMSELVES IN THERE. >> WE HAVE A KID WHO GREW UP IN... IN A HOME WHERE THERE WAS MARITAL CONFLICT COMING FROM THE TRAGIC DEATH OF ASHTON'S YOUNGER SISTER .>> Reporter: ALI MATTU IS A HIGHLY RESPECTED CHILD PSYCHOLOGIST AT COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY MEDICAL CENTER. AT THE REQUEST OF " 48 HOURS ," MATTU STUDIED THE SACHS CASE. FROM WHAT YOU CAN GLEAN FROM THE GRAND JURY REPORT, WHAT... WHAT ARE YOUR OVERALL IMPRESSIONS? >> I THINK WHAT WE HAVE IS AN INDIVIDUAL WHERE THERE WERE A LOT OF WARNING SIGNS OF SOMETHING THAT COULD HAPPEN. >> Reporter: DR. MATTU SAYS ONE OF THE MOST OBVIOUS SIGNS WAS ASHTON'S OBSESSIVE BEHAVIOR, SPENDING HOURS AND HOURS A DAY SMOKING POT ...>> TRIPLE KILL !>> Reporter: ... THEN PLAYING THE VIDEO GAME " LEAGUE OF LEGENDS ." HE LOGGED SOME 1, 800 HOURS -->> YEAH. >> Reporter: -- PLAYING VIDEO GAMES .>> Reporter: HOW VIOLENT IS THIS GAME? >> IT'S NOT AS VIOLENT AS OTHER VIDEO GAMES, SUCH AS " MORTAL KOMBAT" OR " GRAND THEFT AUTO ," BUT THERE IS A LOT OF KILLING INVOLVED, AS YOU CAN SEE RIGHT OVER HERE .>> Reporter: DO YOU KNOW IF... IF THESE KINDS OF VIDEO GAMES DESENSITIZES A TEEN FROM HIS FEELINGS ?>> YOU'VE GOT TO LOOK AT WHAT FUNCTION THIS GAME IS SERVING THAT INDIVIDUAL. IT'S OKAY TO PLAY THESE GAMES. WHAT BECOMES A PROBLEM IS WHEN WE SEE YOUNG PEOPLE THAT ARE PRIMARILY ONLY ENGAGED IN THE VIDEO GAME. THEY'RE BECOMING ISOLATED. THAT'S WHEN IT RAISES A LOT OF RED FLAGS. AND IT SOUNDS LIKE THAT'S A LITTLE BIT OF WHAT WAS BEGINNING TO HAPPEN IN THIS CASE .>> Reporter: BUT ASHTON'S ISOLATION INTO A WORLD OF AVATARS WASN'T THE BIGGEST RED FLAG .>> ANDRA TOLD ME THAT ASHTON TRIED TO COMMIT SUICIDE. SHE SAID HE BROKE UP WITH HIS GIRLFRIEND, TOOK A BUNCH OF PILLS, OXYCONTIN, AND THEN CALLED HER UP AND SAID, " HOW MANY PILLS DO I NEED TO TAKE TO KILL MYSELF ?" >> Reporter: ACCORDING TO HIS AUNTS, ASHTON WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR 72 HOURS, BUT THAT WAS IT. THEY SAY HE NEVER GOT ANY OTHER COUNSELING. THEN, ABOUT FIVE MONTHS LATER, ASHTON WENT AWAY TO THAT COMMUNITY COLLEGE IN SEATTLE. DO YOU THINK IT WAS A WISE DECISION TO... TO SEND AN EMOTIONAL VULNERABLE YOUNG MAN OUT OF STATE TO ATTEND SCHOOL? >> WAS IT A WISE DECISION? IT'S HARD FOR ME TO JUDGE. ASHTON REALLY STRUGGLED TO DO A LOT OF DAILY ACTIVITIES ON HIS OWN. MAYBE HE HAD A LOT OF SUPPORT FROM HIS FAMILY, AND MOVING TO SEATTLE WITHOUT THAT SUPPORT COULD HAVE BEEN THAT MAJOR STRESSOR THAT RESULTED IN... IN SOME OF THE... THE PROBLEMS WE SEE IN THIS CASE .>> THEY LEFT BEHIND JUST ONE OF THE STRONGEST AND TIGHTEST FAMILIES, THE CLOSEST FAMILIES THEY COULD HAVE EVER WISHED FOR .>> Reporter: DR. MATTU SAYS THERE SEEM TO BE A LOT OF MISSING LINKS IN ASHTON'S STORY .>> WE DON'T SEE THE STORY OF A CHILD AND ADOLESCENT WHO WAS ENGAGING IN A LOT OF VIOLENT ACTIVITY. WE SEE A STORY OF A KID WHO IS BECOMING MORE ISOLATED, USING SUBSTANCES, FAILING TO MEET SOME OF THE ACADEMIC DEMANDS OF COLLEGE. DO WE SEE A KID WITH A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE THAT MIGHT BE... FIT THE PROFILE OF SOMEONE WHO'D GO ON TO... TO COMMIT MURDER? NOT NECESSARILY .>>\ WE ALL HAVE A STORY TO TELL .\ THAT'S WHY " 48 HOURS" IS ON \ play. it, A PODCAST NETWORK LIKE \ NO OTHER .\ HEAR WHAT YOU'VE BEEN MISSING .>> Reporter: IT'S BEEN OVER TWO YEARS SINCE ASHTON SACHS ADMITTED SHOOTING HIS FAMILY IN THEIR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA MANSION. I'M ERIN MORIARTY. SINCE MY COLLEAGUE, TROY ROBERTS, FIRST REPORTED THIS STORY, THERE HAVE BEEN SOME DRAMATIC DEVELOPMENTS, STARTING WITH THE RELEASE OF AN INCRIMINATING AUDIO TAPE. BUT FIRST, LET ME SET THE SCENE. IT'S A MONTH AFTER THE MURDERS. ASHTON HAS MOVED IN WITH HIS BROTHER, MYLES, BACK IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA, WHEN DETECTIVES ARRIVE AT THE DOOR .>> IT'S ALL RIGHT IF WE COME TALK TO YOU? I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE. I KNOW WE DID SHOW UP UNANNOUNCED .>> JUST WISHED YOU'D CALLED FIRST .>> I KNOW, MAN. LIKE, WE WEREN'T EVEN GOING TO STOP BY. HEY, ASHTON, SORRY TO WAKE YOU, MAN. WE'RE IN THE AREA, TRACKING DOWN SOME OF THOSE LEADS .>> WE WENT UP, KNOCKED ON THE DOOR. THEY WEREN'T EXPECTING US .>> Reporter: INVESTIGATORS JUSTIN MONTANO AND MIKE THOMPSON ...>> WE WANT TO MEET WITH HIM, BE FRIENDLY, NICE, GET HIM ON OUR SIDE .>> LIKE I SAID, WE START REALLY EARLY JUST ON TRACKING DOWN LEADS AND TALKING TO PEOPLE, SINCE WE'VE BEEN WORKING FRICKING NON- STOP, MAN .>> Reporter: THE DETECTIVES CHAT FOR ALMOST AN HOUR. MYLES LEAVES THE HOUSE. ASHTON DOESN'T REALIZE THAT THEY'VE ACTUALLY COME TO ARREST HIM .>> WHEN WE CATCH THIS PERSON, WHAT DO YOU THINK SHOULD HAPPEN TO THEM ?>> I THINK THEY SHOULD GO TO PRISON FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES .>> WE REALLY WANTED TO LOCK HIM INTO A STORY, WHETHER IT BE LIES OR HIM TO CLEAR UP SOME OF THE EVIDENCE THAT WE FOUND OUT. WE JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU'RE SAYING YOU'RE IN WASHINGTON AT THIS TIME .>> YEAH .>> LIKE, IF WE WERE PLAYING " WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE ," THAT'S GOING TO BE YOUR FINAL ANSWER, THAT YOU WERE IN WASHINGTON ?>> YEAH .>> OBVIOUSLY, WE WANT HIM TO CONFESS TO THE CRIME. IF HE'S NOT GOING TO CONFESS, IS HE GOING TO CONFIRM HIS LIES? AND WE KNEW FOR CERTAIN THAT HE'D BEEN IN ORANGE COUNTY ON THE DAY OF THE MURDERS .>> WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU'RE AT JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT ?>> WHEN I FLEW DOWN HERE AFTER THIS HAPPENED .>> Reporter: BUT ASHTON WAS LYING, AND DETECTIVES SET THE TRAP .>> SO, IF WE WERE TO SEE YOU, ON VIDEO, ON FEBRUARY 9 IN JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT, WHAT WOULD YOU SAY ABOUT THAT ?>> FLYING OUT? NO .>> WE KNOW A TON OF INFO, OKAY, BECAUSE IT DOES NO GOOD FOR YOU TO START SPEWING OUT LIES .>> WE KNEW THAT HE HAD PURCHASED A GUN. WE KNEW THAT HE HAD THE GUN IN HIS CAR. WE KNEW ALL THESE FACTS .>> Reporter: ASHTON REALIZED HE WAS CAUGHT. HE TURNED SULLEN AND STOPPED TALKING .>> WE KNEW HE WAS LYING, AND HE KNEW WE KNEW HE WAS LYING .>> Reporter: THIS WAS THE MOMENT. INVESTIGATORS ARRESTED ASHTON SACHS FOR THE MURDER OF HIS PARENTS, AND THE ATTEMPTED MURDER OF HIS BROTHER. ASHTON OFFERED NO RESISTANCE, AND DETECTIVES DROVE HIM FROM HIS BROTHER'S CONDO TO POLICE HEADQUARTERS. >> YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT, DO YOU UNDERSTAND? YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO AN ATTORNEY BEFORE AND DURING ANY QUESTIONING. DO YOU UNDERSTAND THAT? >> Reporter: ASHTON DID NOT ASK FOR A LAWYER .>> ASHTON SEEMED VERY DETACHED, VERY QUIET AND EMOTIONAL. YOU COULD TELL IN HIS VOICE. IT WAS VERY LOW, VERY MONOTONE .>> WHEN YOU PUT THE GUN IN THE CAR TO COME DOWN TO ORANGE COUNTY, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? >> Reporter: THIS WAS THE TURNING POINT. WITHIN MINUTES, ASHTON BEGAN TO CONFESS .>> SHOOT THEM AND THEN KILL MYSELF .>> TELL ME WHAT'S GOING THROUGH YOUR MIND AS YOU'RE SHOOTING AT THEM ?>> I COULDN'T EVEN REMEMBER. IT WAS JUST A RUSH. I WAS, LIKE, NOT MYSELF. I DON'T KNOW, I WAS SOMETHING TWISTED .>> WHEN HE STARTED CONFESSING, I WAS QUITE SURPRISED WHEN HE STARTED TELLING WHAT HE DID. >> STARTING FROM BUYING THE GUN IN SEATTLE, DRIVING DOWN 18 OR SO HOURS, WITHOUT STOPPING ONE TIME. HE DIDN'T EVEN STOP TO USE THE BATHROOM. HE ACTUALLY URINATED ON HIMSELF, INSIDE THE CAR .>> Reporter: NINE DAYS BEFORE THE CRIME, ASHTON BOUGHT THAT RIFLE. >> THIS IS THE WEAPON THAT ASHTON USED, TO MURDER HIS PARENTS, TO PARALYZE HIS BROTHER .>> AT, LIKE, 2: 00 A. M ., I DROVE UP TO THE HOUSE .>> DID YOU RETRIEVE THE GUN FROM THE CAR ?>> YEAH .>> WHERE WAS THAT AT? >> IN THE BACK. I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DESCRIBE IT. MY HEART WAS BEATING REALLY FAST, AND I KNEW IT WASN'T NORMAL .>> HE SAID HE WAITED IN HIS PARENTS' HOUSE FOR AT LEAST TEN OR 15 MINUTES, PACING UP AND DOWN THE HALLWAY ." AM I GOING TO DO IT? AM I GOING TO \ NOT \ DO IT? AM I GOING TO DO IT ?">> IT WAS SILENT. I WALKED AROUND FOR TEN OR 15 MINUTES, WENT UPSTAIRS. I WENT IN MY PARENTS' ROOM FIRST, SHOT AT THEM .>> AND THEN, WHAT DID YOU DO ?>> I LEFT THE ROOM, WALKED PAST LANDON'S ROOM, SHOT TOWARDS HIM. THEN, I JUST RAN DOWNSTAIRS TO LEXI'S ROOM. I SHOT AT HER ONCE, THEN RAN .>> AFTER COMMITTING THE MURDERS, GOT IN HIS CAR, WHICH WAS ON THE CUL DE SAC RIGHT IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE, DROVE BACK DOWN TO THE PARENTS' BUSINESS WHERE HE THEN CONTACTED A CAB COMPANY TO COME PICK HIM UP, DROVE HIM STRAIGHT TO JOHN WAYNE AIRPORT, AROUND 3: 15 I WANT TO SAY .>> HE GETS ON THE WIFI, AND DOES SOME INTERNET SURFING AND SOME OTHER STUFF. AND THEN FLIES BACK HOME .>> Reporter: THE DETECTIVES HAD A CONFESSION. NOW THE QUESTION WAS, WHY ?>> WHAT WOULD MOTIVATE ASHTON TO COMMIT THIS MURDER ?>> I WAS SO (\ BLEEP \) UP. IT WAS BECAUSE OF MY PARENTS .>> HE WENT ON ABOUT HOW HIS PARENTS NEVER TRUSTED HIM WITH ANYTHING, HOW MYLES WAS KIND OF THE FAVORITE CHILD .>> DESCRIBE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR MOM, ANDRA, FOR ME ?>> I ALWAYS THOUGHT SHE WAS, LIKE, THE ONLY PERSON IN THE WORLD WHO REALLY I COULD TRUST, BUT SHE DIDN'T CARE ABOUT ME .>> HOW ABOUT YOUR DAD ?>> HE NEVER REALLY LIKED ME OR JUST LOVED ME. WE WERE NEVER CLOSE. HE WAS ALWAYS MEAN TO ME AND WOULD TRY TO EXCLUDE ME FROM THINGS. >> Reporter: LATELY, THINGS HAD GOTTEN WORSE. HE HAD BROKEN UP WITH AN ONLINE GIRLFRIEND, HE DROPPED OUT OF SCHOOL WITHOUT TELLING HIS MOM, HE WAS SMOKING A LOT OF POT AND PLAYING ENDLESS HOURS OF VIDEO GAMES .>> HIS LIFE UP IN SEATTLE, THAT AGAIN, HE WAS LIVING THAT RECLUSIVE LIFE, KIND OF BACKING AWAY FROM EVERYONE, NOT KEEPING UP ON HIS STUDIES. SO, ONCE ANDRA FINDS OUT HE'S NOT IN SCHOOL, I THINK THERE'S GOING TO BE A BIG PRICE TO PAY .>> Reporter: IT SOUNDS LIKE ASHTON SACHS WAS A DEPRESSED, SUICIDAL ADOLESCENT WHO MADE A TERRIBLE DECISION. BUT IS THERE MORE TO THE STORY ?>> WHY WERE YOU WEARING GLOVES ?>> I DON'T KNOW. IN CASE I TOUCHED ANYTHING. >> AND IF YOU WEREN'T WEARING GLOVES AND TOUCHED SOMETHING, WHAT... WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ?>> FINGERPRINTS .>> Reporter: IF ASHTON WAS CONCERNED ABOUT HIS FINGERPRINTS, MAYBE HE \ WASN'T PLANNING TO COMMIT SUICIDE AFTER ALL. MAYBE HIS MOTIVE WAS EVEN DARKER. ASHTON'S AUNTS TOLD US HE WAS FASCINATED BY A SENSATIONAL MURDER CASE FROM THE 1980s .>>\ SOMEBODY KILLED MY PARENTS !>> POLICE IN BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA, ARE INVESTIGATING THE SHOOTING DEATHS OF AN ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY EXECUTIVE AND HIS WIFE .>> Reporter: THE YEAR WAS 1989; THE PLACE, BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA. 21- YEAR- OLD LYLE MENENDEZ PLACED A FRANTIC CALL TO 911 SAYING THAT HE AND HIS YOUNGER BROTHER, ERIK, HAD JUST COME HOME TO FIND THEIR MILLIONAIRE PARENTS SHOT DEAD .>> WHO WAS THE PERSON THAT WAS SHOT? >> MY MOM AND MY DAD. >> YOUR MOM AND DAD? >> MY MOM AND MY DAD .>> OKAY, HOLD ON A SECOND .>> Reporter: ASHTON WROTE A COLLEGE PAPER ABOUT THE MURDERS, AND THEN BRAGGED ABOUT THE ESSAY TO HIS PARENTS .>> HE CALLED HIS PARENTS AND TOLD THEM HE GOT AN 'A' ON IT. HE GETS 'As' ALL THE TIME, SO WHY THAT PARTICULAR PAPER? HE WAS NOTIFYING THEM THAT HE WAS PARTICULARLY INTERESTED IN THE MENENDEZ STORY. >> Reporter: AND THERE \ ARE \ SOME SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE MENENDEZ CASE AND THE SACHS MURDERS .>> YOU KNOW, THEY WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR ME. >> Reporter: LIKE ASHTON, THE MENENDEZ BOYS EULOGIZED THEIR PARENTS AT MEMORIALS, WEEPING OVER THEIR LOSSES. AND AGAIN, LIKE ASHTON, THE MENENDEZ BOYS SUGGESTED TO DETECTIVES THAT THEIR FATHER'S BUSINESS ENEMIES MAY HAVE COMMITTED THE CRIMES. (\ DISTANT SIRENS \)>> FINALLY, AUTHORITIES CHARGED \ THEM \ WITH THE KILLINGS. >> Reporter: THE PROSECUTION ARGUED THAT THE REAL MOTIVE WAS THE FORTUNE THEY STOOD TO INHERIT FROM THEIR WEALTHY PARENTS. AND IN THE END, THE JURY AGREED, CONVICTING BOTH BOYS. THERE'S ONE MORE THING. IN THE DAYS BEFORE THE MURDERS, ASHTON REPORTEDLY DID SOME LEGAL RESEARCH. HE LOOKED UP THE CONSEQUENCES OF ATTEMPTED MURDER AND FELONY MURDER, HE LOOKED UP THE INSANITY DEFENSE, AND HE LOOKED UP THE TERMS OF PAROLE-- ALL SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIORS, RAISING THE QUESTION: IS ASHTON SIMPLY A DAMAGED TEEN OR IS HE SOMETHING FAR MORE FRIGHTENING ?>> I REMEMBER IN FIFTH GRADE, WE HAD TO DO A REPORT ON WHO A HERO WAS, TO US. BUT EVEN AS A 13- YEAR- OLD BOY, I KNEW RIGHT AWAY MY HERO WAS MY MOM. I DID MY REPORT ON HER .>> FOR SOMEBODY TO STAND UP AT THEIR PARENTS' FUNERAL-- HE REALLY PULLED THE WOOL OVER EVERYBODY'S EYES. TO STAND UP THERE AND SAY THAT ANDRA WAS HIS HERO, AFTER HE COLD- BLOODED, POINT- BLANK RANGE MURDERED HER? THAT JUST DOESN'T SET WELL WITH US. I DON'T THINK THAT SETS WELL WITH ANYBODY .>> I THINK HE'S SOMEWHAT SOCIOPATHIC, IN THAT HE'S ABLE TO STAND UP IN FRONT OF PEOPLE AND REPRESENT SOMEBODY WHO HE ISN'T, REALLY, WHEN HE'S THE ONE WHO MURDERED THEM .>> Reporter: BUT COULD THE MOTIVE HAVE BEEN MONEY? MONTANO AND THOMPSON ASKED ASHTON THAT WHEN THEY INTERVIEWED HIM. >> TELL ME WHAT YOU KNOW ABOUT THE WILL, YOUR PARENT'S WILL. >> I DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THEY ALWAYS TOLD US ALL THAT WHEN THEY DIE, ALL THE MONEY WAS GOING TO CHARITY, BUT JUST ENOUGH FOR US TO GO TO SCHOOL. >> DID ANY THOUGHTS CROSS YOUR MIND, " HEY, IF... IF THEY DIE, IT'D LOOK LIKE YOU'D BE DOING PRETTY GOOD .">> NO. THERE'S NO MONEY AT ALL. >> YEAH, ANDRA WAS A VERY HARD- DRIVING BUSINESSWOMAN. I MEAN, YOU COULD EVEN SAY RUTHLESS. BUT I DON'T THINK ASHTON'S PRIMARY MOTIVATION WAS MONEY .>> I REALLY THINK, WHEN YOU LOOK INTO IT AND PEEL THIS ONION OF THIS CASE, IS IT COMES DOWN TO HIS RESENTMENT OF HIS PARENTS, HIS RESENTMENT OF HIS BROTHERS. AND, AGAIN, THAT'S WHAT DROVE HIM TO COMMIT THESE MURDERS .>> I THINK IT WAS... I... I THINK IT WAS REVENGE FOR... FOR HIS SENSE OF BEING SLIGHTED BY THE FAMILY. HE, IN HIS STATEMENT... IN HIS CONFESSION, HE SAID THAT HIS PARENTS NEVER TRUSTED HIM WITH ANYTHING, BUT MYLES WAS BEING BROUGHT UP IN THIS HEIR APPARENT OF THE COMPANY. I THINK THAT'S... RESENTMENT'S WHAT ULTIMATELY DROVE HIM TO COMMIT THE CRIME .>> COLD- BLOODED KILLER, NO DOUBT IN MY MIND. HE PLANNED THIS FROM BEGINNING TO END .>> COLD- BLOODED KILLER. ABSOLUTELY COLD- BLOODED KILLER .>> Reporter: IN JAIL, ASHTON SEEMS TO HAVE RECONNECTED WITH HIS FAITH. HIS FAMILY BECAME EMBROILED IN A LEGAL BATTLE OVER WHO WOULD ADMINISTER THE MULTIMILLION- DOLLAR ESTATE, A FIGHT BETWEEN THE AUNTS ON ONE SIDE, AND, ON THE OTHER, HIS OLDEST BROTHER MYLES AND A CLOSE FRIEND OF THEIR MOTHER'S-- NINA LIFSHULTZ, WHO EULOGIZED THE SACHS AT THEIR FUNERAL .>> I LOVE YOU GUYS .>> Reporter: THE TWO SIDES HAVE NOW SETTLED, WITH NINA AND MYLES IN CHARGE. 24- YEAR- OLD MYLES SACHS WAS AWARDED CUSTODY OF HIS THREE SIBLINGS, INCLUDING 11- YEAR- OLD LANDON, WHO IS CONFINED TO A WHEELCHAIR. THEY ARE ALL LIVING TOGETHER. ASHTON HAS REMAINED IN A SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA JAIL FOR MORE THAN TWO YEARS. HIS AUNTS STILL TALK WITH HIM, AND THEY SAY ASHTON \ DID \ EXPRESS REGRET .>> YES .>> YES, HE DID .>> YES. AND HE CRIES. HE CRIES ABOUT IT, AND HE WISHES HE COULD TAKE IT BACK. >> Reporter: IN A LETTER TO " 48 HOURS ," ASHTON DECLINED TO BE INTERVIEWED, BUT HE ASKED US TO BE " SENSITIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE VICTIMS WHO ARE STILL TRYING TO HEAL "-- HIS TWO BROTHERS AND TWO SISTERS. AND THEN, IN LATE SEPTEMBER, AN UNEXPECTED DEVELOPMENT. ASHTON FIRED HIS PUBLIC DEFENDER, ASKED FOR A SPECIAL HEARING AND DECIDED TO REPRESENT HIMSELF. ASHTON TOOK THE COURT BY SURPRISE, BY PLEADING GUILTY. THE JUDGE MADE ABSOLUTELY SURE ASHTON UNDERSTOOD WHAT HE WAS DOING ." YOU UNDERSTAND THAT BY PLEADING GUILTY YOU WILL NEVER BE RELEASED FROM PRISON ," THE JUDGE ASKED ." YES, I DO ," ASHTON REPLIED. AND HE STATED HIS CRIME: " I INTENTIONALLY KILLED WITH PREMEDITATION AND DELIBERATION, BOTH BRADFORD AND ANDRA SACHS .">> I HAVE REVIEWED A TRANSCRIPT ...>> Reporter: AND JUST YESTERDAY, THE FINAL CHAPTER
