Steve Fishman, Narrator

At this point, Jack Boyle and I have spoken for hours and hours. My wife isn't thrilled that I spend so much time chatting with a convicted wife killer. But if someone wants to understand what really happened, you have to talk to Jack. Jack is the black hole at the center of this story. For years, people who followed this murder talked and talked about Jack. But Jack, he wouldn't talk to anyone.

At this point, Jack Boyle and I have spoken for hours and hours. My wife isn't thrilled that I spend so much time chatting with a convicted wife killer. But if someone wants to understand what really happened, you have to talk to Jack. Jack is the black hole at the center of this story. For years, people who followed this murder talked and talked about Jack. But Jack, he wouldn't talk to anyone.

On the witness stand almost four decades ago, Jack swore he had nothing to do with his wife's death. He said he had no idea how she ended up buried in his basement. But it's been a long time since that testimony. A lot has changed. Jack says he's changed. He says he's ready to tell what really happened to Noreen. So let's call this Jack's version.

On the witness stand almost four decades ago, Jack swore he had nothing to do with his wife's death. He said he had no idea how she ended up buried in his basement. But it's been a long time since that testimony. A lot has changed. Jack says he's changed. He says he's ready to tell what really happened to Noreen. So let's call this Jack's version.

Jack starts at the beginning, the night Noreen disappeared. It's a little before three in the morning on December 31st, 1989 at the Boyle residence in Mansfield, Ohio. 11-year-old Collier is asleep in his bedroom upstairs with his Batman clock and his Garfield toys. Noreen retired early to her bedroom, also upstairs. Jack's mother is staying with them for the holiday.

Jack starts at the beginning, the night Noreen disappeared. It's a little before three in the morning on December 31st, 1989 at the Boyle residence in Mansfield, Ohio. 11-year-old Collier is asleep in his bedroom upstairs with his Batman clock and his Garfield toys. Noreen retired early to her bedroom, also upstairs. Jack's mother is staying with them for the holiday.

Noreen's bedroom is across the hall from Collier's. But according to Jack, she isn't there because she's marched down the stairs to the first floor living room. The living room has been pretty much Jack's bedroom for years. He sleeps there on the couch, usually undisturbed. But tonight, he says, Noreen shakes him awake.

Noreen's bedroom is across the hall from Collier's. But according to Jack, she isn't there because she's marched down the stairs to the first floor living room. The living room has been pretty much Jack's bedroom for years. He sleeps there on the couch, usually undisturbed. But tonight, he says, Noreen shakes him awake.

According to Jack, Noreen is furious. And there's something else unusual about her.

According to Jack, Noreen is furious. And there's something else unusual about her.

So was she naked?

So was she naked?

That's unusual. That's like, what is going on? This is a couple that hasn't slept together in years.

That's unusual. That's like, what is going on? This is a couple that hasn't slept together in years.

According to Jack, Noreen picks a fight about, well, about everything. The Boyles divorce proceedings officially started about a month earlier, and Noreen, according to Jack's theory, is just now coming to grips with her future.

According to Jack, Noreen picks a fight about, well, about everything. The Boyles divorce proceedings officially started about a month earlier, and Noreen, according to Jack's theory, is just now coming to grips with her future.

He reasons that after years of being a physician's wife, with the leisure time and the disposable income that comes along with it, Noreen hates the idea of working again, which is what a judge said was in her future.

He reasons that after years of being a physician's wife, with the leisure time and the disposable income that comes along with it, Noreen hates the idea of working again, which is what a judge said was in her future.

But back to the living room. Noreen and Jack are arguing.

But back to the living room. Noreen and Jack are arguing.