it's seasonal. i got pumpkin ice cream. but my favorite from mitchell's is new york cheesecake. ooh, that sounds delicious. next hot day in san francisco, i'm going there. well, this has been fun. really appreciate it. it was fun to get to know all of you. and i love the san francisco ties. as i mentioned, i wasn't born there, but i do feel like a san franciscan now, and you guys make me feel so welcome. so thank you so much for joining us. like it or not, today, before we go, be sure to send us your like it or not questions. record yourself asking tha i'm anna garcia. right now on true crime news. a nightmare on christmas eve 911. >> where's your emergency? my mom's bleeding out on the floor. >> she died. she died? gropp helsley. larmi. >> a masked man attacks, killing a mom and wounding her daughter. nakken dworken. >> my sister is bleeding too.

>> was this text message promising a gift? actually a warning? >> i have a special gift for all of you. i hope that you're all there to see it. and all of a sudden i see somebody in full camo, even a mask pushing mom up against the wall. >> what turned this holiday into horror? >> this is the wild west, man. >> highsmith. your daily source for true crime starts right now. patricia burns and her two daughters were preparing for christmas eve. what started as a time for a joyous celebration would end in a violent nightmare. lake lucerne in upstate new york is a campers heaven, plenty of water, woods and beaches to attract new yorkers looking to escape the city in the summer. >> this part of the world is often called god's country. it's just a it's just a beautiful area. >> it was also home for patricia

burns, a dedicated hospice nurse. >> she was just one in a 1 in 1,000,000. she was just so funny. >> she was very spunky and outgoing and just always had just fun plans and just loved to dance. >> we had tons of good nights just dancing in the kitchen, but the fireball of energy was plagued with one big problem when it came to men. >> she picked the wrong ones. one boyfriend, ted backus, was arrested after cops say he hit patricia. and then there was her rocky marriage to clifford burns. >> my mom worked at dunkin donuts and she was one of the drive thru ladies, and he would just come through every day and eventually asked her for her number. >> at first, clifford cliff to his friends seemed like a great catch. he owned his own business and he was an avid fisherman and a die hard mets fan. but in between trips to times square and rides on his custom motorcycle, this blended family,

filled with smiles, was hiding darkness behind closed doors right after they got married. >> he just started. yeah, but pushing her and slapping her. >> megan jenkins was only five when cliff became her new dad. >> she tried to fix. she was a fixer. >> the couple would eventually have two girls together, harley and autumn. >> i guess my childhood was good and bad because we were fortunate enough to have, like, awesome christmases and stuff and nice family vacations. but other times our family was just so not normal. >> cliff was deeply scarred from a childhood that could only be described as hell. >> i know that his mom suffered a lot of abuse from his dad, and she stayed for whatever reason for the kids, and it got so bad to the point where his dad shot my grandma edith in the arm and she ended up surviving.

>> sadly, burns would go from watching domestic violence as a kid to committing it as an adult. >> i remember my dad beating my mom's face in like on top of her. i was standing there and like, being helpless. >> he just had a lot of rage. >> victims of domestic violence often say the same thing. years and years of fighting just become normal. >> my mom has given my dad so many chances, so many chances. and he'll come, come back into the house for two weeks and be the best dad ever, buy us gifts, give us money, bribe us. and two weeks later, he's back to the same old abusive dad. >> then out of nowhere, this family, already on the edge, would be rocked by tragedy. one of patricia's daughters, cliff's stepdaughter, crystalline, would go to sleep one night and never wake up. >> no drugs, no alcohol in her system. she was like the perfect 15 year old girl.

>> chris was like the angel child. you know, my mom lost a big part of her. >> they did two autopsies on her and never found anything. >> to this day, the mysterious death still remains just that. but one thing was clear in her moment of blinding sadness, patricia would finally see what she had to do. she needed to get out. >> i think trespassing really gave her the strength to want to leave cliff. >> the smiles of patricia and cliff burns had faded just like their marriage. after years of reported domestic violence, patricia had enough. >> when he got violent, he was like blackout and there was no stopping him, patricia told cliff. >> she wanted a divorce and she and her daughters finally moved out, starting over in this upstate new york apartment. >> i just always hoped for the best. i was like, mom and dad are going to be okay this time. like, i just always hoped things would be different in a decision she now calls weird, harley

decided not to go with mom, but to stay with her dad. i didn't really like the schooling up there, so i was like, i'm going to be with my friends and be with my dad and visit my mom on the weekends. >> at first, she says she felt safe because no matter how bad things got, cliff would never raise a hand to his daughters. but harley would soon learn without patricia around to take the brunt of his anger, she would become his target. >> he would be a great dad. he would give me some money to go shopping. but something like triggered in him. and once he started talking about my mom, he would take it out on me. call me these nasty, nasty names. >> after several months, harley claims the verbal abuse became too much. she decided to move back in with her mom and younger sister, autumn. >> she was always there for me. it just makes me sad because i took that for granted. >> but harley's attempt at a

normal life back at her mom's place would just be a sweet dream. while she was living with her dad, patricia started up another ill fated and violent relationship. patricia's new boyfriend, ted backus, was arrested after assaulting burns, firing a gun into the ceiling and then having a standoff with police. backus pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor of discharging a firearm and sentenced to probation and slapped with a court order to not see patricia for three years. months passed, the summer turned to winter, and as snow fell, the burns women were preparing for a peaceful christmas, something they hadn't enjoyed in years. it had been nearly eight months since cliff had communicated with his girls, but days before the christmas holiday, 14 year old autumn sent an olive branch via text message, writing i just wanted

to tell you i love you and merry christmas. his response was downright creepy. >> i have a special gift for all of you. i hope that you're all there to see it. >> coming up. did cliff really want to drop off a special gift or was that code for murder? >> he knocked on the doornd just swung it o n. was like, oh my god, that's next. >> my name is brayden. i was five years old when i came to saint jude. i'll try and shorten down the story. so i've been having these headaches that wouldn't go away. my mom, she was just crying. what? they said your son has brain cancer backwards. >> it was your worst fear coming to life, watching your child grow up is the dream of every

parent. >> you can join the battle to save the lives of kids like brayden by supporting saint jude children's research hospital. families never receive a bill from saint jude for treatment, travel, housing or food so they can focus on helping their child live. >> what they have done for me, my son, my family. i'm sorry. >> yeah, life is a gift, especially for a child battling cancer. call or go online and help save the lives of children like brayden. >> now i'm 11 years old. we were actually doing the checkup for my brain and they they saw something in my throat. it's thyroid cancer. >> it was heartbreaking to find out that he has cancer again, but we knew who we had behind us. it just gives me hope you can make a difference. >> join with your credit or

debit card for only $19 a month, and we'll send you this saint jude t-shirt. >> without saint jude or its donors, we would have been in a bad place. >> these kids, they've done nothing wrong in the world. finding a cure for childhood cancer. it means everything. >> help saint jude give kids with cancer a chance. >> on the next true crime news. snatched in her sleep. >> worst nightmare come tru e. - i had health insurance before. (discouraged) so expensive. i mean, i'm helping my mom out, i don't have that kinda cash. - ugh, i know. but you can get financial help now through covered california. it's totally affordable. you'd be surprised. they've got this calculator thing that shows how much you'll pay. - for real? - yeah! what are you doing not having health insurance, man? - hey, i know, i know... - here, let me show you... - we all have questions. covered california has answers

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>> we're back with more on this horrific christmas eve slaying of patricia burns. she and her daughters were getting dinner ready when all hell broke loose. >> this is the wild west, man, and i'm a wild canine now. >> this certainly wasn't how these small town sheriff's deputies thought they'd be spending their christmas eve. i thielbar. >> i give up. >> i give up face to face with a human ball of rage. right after you get out of here. >> yeah. >> patricia was in the kitchen preparing christmas dinner when the devil arrived at her doorstep. >> he knocked on the door and

just swung it open. she was, like, backing into the wall, and i was like, oh, my god. and then all of a sudden i see somebody in full camo, even a mask pushing mom up against the wall. >> megan tries to help. >> i was just punching him, trying to get him off of her. i didn't even see the knife. >> she manages to pull down the attacker's mask. it's her stepfather, cliff. >> autumn was standing there and she was just screaming. she didn't know what to do and i was like, call the cops. call the cops. >> 911. where's your emergency? my mom's bleeding out on the floor. >> my dad just came in, and he stabbed her. and she's dying, and she's. she's bleeding out. >> i saw that she was kicking him, and she was like, cliff, please don't i love you. you don't have to do this. she was like, pleading, but cliff, blind with rage and armed with a giant hunting knife, continued his violent assault. >> i got out. >> i didn't even know i was cut

at first. i was still trying to help my mom and i looked down and my whole arms open. and that's when i realized i was stabbed. matt hardy dworken. >> my sister is bleeding to. >> i heard my mom and my head go, megan, run and go get help. go get help! so i ran outside. i was so in shock that i tried to hop over a snowbank because there was no room between the car and the snowbank that i was stuck in there inside the house. >> the vicious attack was finally over. >> he's on foot. he ran. i don't know what. is he wearing a cloth? >> megan, still stuck in the snowbank, was frozen with fear when cliff made his way outside to find her. >> he was walking towards me and i was like, cliff, why, cliff? why? i was like getting ready to be stabbed in the back. i was like, he's coming for me. >> fortunately, megan screams for help were heard by people at a nearby restaurant who came out to see what was going on.

spooking cliff. >> if those people didn't run out, he probably would have finished me off too. >> dripping blood everywhere, megan managed to free herself and staggered back up the stairs. it was devastating. oh my god, my mom's dying on the floor. >> my sister's going to die. you need to get people in here. >> once i saw blood coming from my mom's mouth, i knew that she wasn't going to make it. and i was like, i was like, autumn, tell her how much you love her. and she goes, why, mom? strong. mom's strong. she's going to live. and i go tell her how much you love her. >> autumn, is she breathing with us? you're stronger. >> you can do this, mom. i know you can. she's dying. she's on her way out. please help! >> ma'am. ma'am, ma'am, i know i'm trying to get people there. >> bandido alsing i hear. >> miles away. their sister harley was eating mcdonald's with friends, laughing and

having a good time when she started noticing some strange posts on her sister's facebook page. >> autumn, where are you? what's going on? why are there cops at your house? i called the house. megan picked up the phone. >> i tried to save her. i tried to save her. >> megan screaming. >> she ran. he chased after me. i ran crying, frantic. >> i tried to help her. >> i came all the way up here to kill her. >> harley races to glens falls hospital, still not knowing just how bad things really are. >> autumn comes busting through the door with blood on her. she's like, harley, i couldn't do anything. i couldn't do anything. and i'm just still like, what is going on? like, why? why is there blood on you? like, where is everybody? >> doctors were feverishly working on stepsister megan's badly slashed arm, the wound so deep it reached the bone, narrowly missing an artery. but for their mother, patricia, there wasn't anything they could

do. >> nurse was like, she's in there. she's. you don't want to see her like this. and i was like, i don't care. i want to feel my mom's hand. i want to feel her warmth. >> it was too late. her multiple chest wounds too severe. after the incident, clifford burns got into his car and went on a high speed chase with authorities. he'd led them to the warren county sheriff's office. undersheriff shawn lemire met the crazed man's eyes, and i said, what are you doing? >> he says, i've done a bad thing, and i need to go to jail. >> when we come back, cliff burns is brought in for questioning and emotions run high. >> i just wanted to see my babies at christmas. >> i love that woman. i love my kids with all my heart. she ook everything from me. >> right now, in our world, habitats are being destroyed and

wildlife is facing an extinction crisis. but this holiday season, you can take action to protect wildlife and give the most meaningful gift of all. visit this website, call this number or simply scan the code on your screen. donate just $16 a month to support wwf's global conservation work. you'll get this free holiday kit, including this wildlife calendar, a tote bag, and this adorable plush polar bear. this holiday season, help wwf protect wildlife and habitats and give a gift that will last for generations to come. act now. make your holiday gift today. go online, call or scan right now. >> if there's a true crime you think we should know about, c l

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closed captioning and other considerations for true crime news provided by. >> do we get something from my dad? >> i'll grab the car keys. >> looking for a last minute gift idea? give hands free sketcher slip ins. the perfect gift for everybody from kids to grandparents. just step in. in the run. there's no bending down. and no touching your shoes. there's still time. give hands free sketcher slip ins. >> when our country needed you. you answered the call. you took the oath you served and you sacrificed to defend our great country. visiting angels knows veterans. you are the heroes among us. and we are honored to serve you. iting angels, america's choice in home care. >> we're back with the rest of

our story. mother of five, patricia burns is dead. in what appears to be the ultimate act of control and the prime suspect her estranged husband, cliff, is about to lose all control when police interrogate him. >> two weeks after. aren't you dying, i miss my mother. >> please help the he. according to police and witnesses, patricia's estranged husband, clifford burns, who, after a short high speed chase, pulls into the sheriff's department parking lot. warren county undersheriff shawn lemire is the first person to approach him. >> when i brought him into the room, he was cooperative with me. >> what transpires in the next five hours inside this interrogation room is a jekyll and hyde tale, sometimes emotional. >> i just wanted to see my babies at christmas, then aggressive. >> if anybody who's watched the

video in its entirety. clifford burns was on an emotional roller coaster that night. >> burns points the finger at the system. >> you understand what a man goes through, officer? just look straight in your hand. i spent $250 a week on child support and couldn't see my kids because she put a court order against me. today i get a call from my lawyer saying they're coming with a warrant for my arrest for missing two child support payments. i want to say something to you, too. i love that woman. i love my kids with all my heart. and she took everything from me, okay? it was like the devil took my body over today. i just had it. i couldn't do it no more. >> burns certainly knew he was going to jail when he left his home that night, leaving behind a note about who should get his assets. but he claims he didn't want to kill anyone. >> when somebody snitches, they cut you from the. i was going to just cut her from the ear up, chop her hair off.

>> so what happened when he arrived at the apartment? he claims he blacked out. >> clifford, patricia is dead. what? she's dead. >> okay. >> i see a very disturbed individual blow my head off right now. >> take the knife out and put one in me. just end it. i don't want to live no more. >> the majority of cliff's fury is not pointed at his ex, but rather her ex. >> ted backus beat my old lady. i put her in the hospital. my kid was home when he shot the guy. >> at that time, backus was arrested after police say he assaulted patricia and fired a gun into the ceiling. he would eventually plead guilty to one misdemeanor gun charge and get probation. cliff was convinced backus, the brother of two local sheriff's deputies, got special treatment. watch as he finds out the detective he's talking to

worked that case as well. >> you were involved with it. you know, when you go get married, what do they say? what are the last words? this is a very intelligent man here. till death do us part, baby doll. get me out of here. >> and with that, cliff burns is charged with second degree murder. >> the motive is anger. the motive is control. >> riddled with guilt. burns accepts a plea deal. although he would later try to go back on that agreement, saying his daughter's coerced him into signing it. >> he was not apologetic for anything that he'd done that night, and he was not apologetic when he got sentenced. >> his sentence for viciously slaughtering patricia 23 years to life. >> that's something that these young girls have to live with for the rest of their lives. and although they survived, they're still victims.

>> you know, i wish mom was still here. i miss her dearly. >> as part of his sentence, cliff burns is barred from contacting his two daughters with patricia. he's serving 23 years to life in prison. that's a lot of christmases behind bars. if you or anyone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the national domestic violence hotline at one 800 799 safe. that's 807 997233. or by texting rt to 88788. we'll be right back. >> whether because of discomfort, lack of mobility, your lifestyle or occupation, you sit inactively way too many hours a day. introducing ellipse. the premium quality automatic seated exerciser that strengthens legs, increases mobility and boosts circulation without physical strain or impact. >> it is so quiet that none of

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[ding] [upbeat music] ♪ yeah, baby, i like it like that ♪ ♪ i like it like that, i like it like that ♪ ♪ si a ti te quiero mi amor, i like it like that ♪ ♪ eeeeeh, baby, i said i like it like that ♪ ♪ stomp your feet if you think i'm neat ♪ ♪ clap your hands if you want some more ♪ ♪ i said i like it like that ♪ >> on the next true crime news, a young girl snatched in her sleep right out of bed. >> sarah is not in her room. her shoes are here. her jacket is here. we don't know where she's at. her worst nightmare literally just come true. >> what are terrified little six year old sister saw and was telling them somebody took her.

>> she knew him. >> did the family unknowingly let a monster into their house? >> he was obsessed with sarah as his target. it shocked all of us to our core. >> on the next true crime news. for the latest breaking crime news, go to true crime news.com. to watch more exclusive content on our youtube channel, listen to our podcast and follow us at my true crime news. that's it for today's true crime news. i'm anna garci a. see you next tim - what happened to barbara? - a lot of defensive wounds. this is somebody that really hated her guts. she had fought. - we were hopeful that we would find something there, dna-wise. - act of a narcissist and a sociopath. (dramatic music) - what stood out about him over others? - he had scratches on his face. definitely raised eyebrows with those injuries. (dramatic music)