. >> reporter: when the sun rises that morning in texas, greg fleniken does not. detective scotthat call that thursday morning? >> yes, sir. and it just came in as a, a deceased person at one of our local hotels. >> reporter: with no clear signs of foul play, at first, the veteran detective thought this was going to be routine. you'd heard heavy smoker. >> mm-hmm. >> reporter: had been a drinker in the past. >> yes. >> reporter: a lot at stake. >> yes. >> reporter: so it wasn't. >> and never saw a doctor. >> reporter: so you thought this guy might have had a heart attack? >> that's what we had just figured it must be at the scene. >> reporter: detective apple heads to room 348. and inside that door, a 55-year-old man face down on the carpet. you open the door -- >> right. >> reporter: and you see -- >> greg fleniken on the floor. >> reporter: right there. >> yes, sir. >> reporter: in fact, there's nothing to suggest this is a crime scene at all. fleniken's cash is still in the room, candy and cigarettes on the bed, a soda on the table. at first glance, it looks like this must hav