Anastasia Nicolazzi

She took a nap. Not exactly what you'd expect from the grieving and traumatized wife of a man who had recently been kidnapped and who had five young kids in the mix, and not with her at present. Those kids alone, you'd think, and would hope would cause audible concern.

She took a nap. Not exactly what you'd expect from the grieving and traumatized wife of a man who had recently been kidnapped and who had five young kids in the mix, and not with her at present. Those kids alone, you'd think, and would hope would cause audible concern.

By the time she was interviewed by investigators, Samantha once again found herself in the center of the spotlight.

By the time she was interviewed by investigators, Samantha once again found herself in the center of the spotlight.

Up to this point, Samantha had denied recognizing any of the men who tied her up and abducted her husband. But now she was being asked to speculate.

Up to this point, Samantha had denied recognizing any of the men who tied her up and abducted her husband. But now she was being asked to speculate.

Samantha had met Sanford through her friend, Charla, and even knew exactly where they both were at that very minute.

Samantha had met Sanford through her friend, Charla, and even knew exactly where they both were at that very minute.

And from there, in response, Samantha started naming names, revealing that she may know one or more of the men involved in the abduction of her husband.

And from there, in response, Samantha started naming names, revealing that she may know one or more of the men involved in the abduction of her husband.

As for Samantha, she was attempting to distance herself from Sanford and the assault against her husband. In this recorded audio, you can hear how quickly her demeanor has changed from being defiant, almost bored, to being this tearful, scared informant.

As for Samantha, she was attempting to distance herself from Sanford and the assault against her husband. In this recorded audio, you can hear how quickly her demeanor has changed from being defiant, almost bored, to being this tearful, scared informant.

At the sheriff's office, Sanford seemed to know that the jig was up and was surprisingly cooperative, quickly admitting his relationship with Samantha and the fact that he had been to her and Ernie's home.

At the sheriff's office, Sanford seemed to know that the jig was up and was surprisingly cooperative, quickly admitting his relationship with Samantha and the fact that he had been to her and Ernie's home.

Sanford proceeded to lead the other men inside. But according to him, the planned beating quickly got out of hand.

Sanford proceeded to lead the other men inside. But according to him, the planned beating quickly got out of hand.

The three men put Ernie's unconscious body into the back of Samantha's truck. Considering the viciousness of the beating and the attacker's lack of mercy, the ending seemed inevitable.

The three men put Ernie's unconscious body into the back of Samantha's truck. Considering the viciousness of the beating and the attacker's lack of mercy, the ending seemed inevitable.

It was only then that detectives in Titus County could confirm that Ernie Ibarra was deceased and the cause of death was homicide.

It was only then that detectives in Titus County could confirm that Ernie Ibarra was deceased and the cause of death was homicide.