shane lam, ron render, and mario kasharo, but quickly turned their attention to the boss' son, mario. >> completely shocked. >> mario's one of the nicest -- just a sweetheart. >> reporter: cops were beginning to develop a more sinister profile as brian's father william kerik would share with the local reporter. >> mario allegedly was selling dope. and i think he cowearsed my son into working for him. >> reporter: mario admitted to sometimes selling pot. but denied ever running a drug ring. >> i would i guess sell people pot out of my personal stash. it wasn't anything that i ever -- it wasn't a criminal enterprise. >> reporter: authorities were convinced that brian was killed over a $400 or $500 drug debt. but with no eyewitnesses or a body, the case went cold. over the next eight years, mario would graduate from college. take the reins of the family business. brian's disappearance a distant and painful memory. until an eyewitness came forward -- >> hit brian a few times. >> reporter: with a tale of violence from the produce cooler. >> bleeding from his mouth, fell out. >> how hard? >