steven pitt -- and ordered by the court. t. there was no consequence for that. >> reporter: just before his death, steve pitt was proposing a story to "dateline," about educating people to see the warning signs of oncoming violence. >> there are always red flags and warning signs. it's not about blame. it's about prevention. and if we don't teach people what those signs are and we don't modify our system so people know who to reach out to, then we are failing. >> my message to any domestic violence victim out there is you're responsible for your own safety. >> if you count on the system to protect you, you make a mistake. >> you are making a mistake. i went in very naive. >> reporter: the sad truth is that some stories don't have happy endings. sometimes, particularly in real life, the bad guys win. but maybe connie and rick are the best living proof that some beauty can blossom from even the darkest of situations. >> a friend of mine told me that he really likes you. and i said, "no, he doesn't. he is my friend." when i star