mike mandell has known tyler since they were both 8 years old. he lived just a block away. so, you know, his parents. >> absolutely. >> reporter: what were they like? >> they seemed like great parents to me. >> reporter: and how did tyler feel about his parents? blake and mary jo hadley thought sunny port st. lucie was the perfect place to raise their two boys, ryan and tyler. >> mary jo was a schoolteacher. and she loved kids so much. she dedicated her life to her two -- two boys. >> reporter: their father blake loved his job at a local power plant, but his passion was his sons. the baby, tyler, and ryan, six years older. what was blake like with the boys? >> he had a ball with 'em. he loved 'em. >> reporter: and in the beginning tyler seemed to be a happy little boy, celebrating birthdays and holidays with his family. >> he was constantly hugging his mom -- i mean, constantly. he would stand behind her and hug her and, you know, he was -- he was an affectionate kid. >> i remember him being a funny kid. he had a quick sense of humor. you never knew what was going to come o