He Staged a Phone Call That Never Happened #mr.cruel #truecrimestories #truecrimeshorts | Forensic Files

Now, a crime like this could not have been [music] more shocking to this family. They live in a nice little town
on a nice little street in the area of Lower Plenty, which is known for its big houses and leafy sidewalks. The people
who live here are largely affluent families just raising kids. [music] Basically, this is the kind of
neighborhood where very little crime happens. And this family was presumably as unassuming as they come. Like I said,
their identities have never been revealed, but based [music] on the ensuing investigation, this is a family
that doesn't have enemies or any reason to have a target on their back. And clearly not for something like this. I
mean, while the guy made off with a few things from the house, it seems clear that he was there for Eliza. And they
couldn't think of a single person who would target their young daughter. >> So, you said some things were taken.
What all did he take? >> He took some of her dad's clothes, like a shirt, parka, pants, even a razor of
his. And he also took an engagement ring. This one that was gold with a single diamond that had the numbers 4132
stamped inside. I mean, and that was worth, you know, a good chunk, about $2,500 back in 1987.
And he also snagged about $250 in cash. And as far as I know, none of those things have ever been recovered. And
that ring in particular, I mean, I wonder if someone might recognize it. I I wish I knew more about the diamond
shape or the size. I just know that the diamond was held to the band with like four like little gold prongs. Now,
[music] what he took doesn't tell them much, but what he did might. Because the family shares some of the strange things
that he did while he was in the house for those two hours. Like [music] at some point before he took Eliza into the
bathroom, the man apparently made a phone call from the landline in her parents' room. It sounded like this
intruder was threatening [music] someone on the phone. But, this is the really strange part.
When police tried to look into this, because this would be an amazing clue to try and track who he was or who he
knows. >> Who he was calling, yeah. >> There was no call. He was faking it.

A quiet, affluent suburb known for big houses and leafy sidewalks. The kind of place where families feel safe.

In 1987, a masked man broke into one of those homes.

He wasn’t there for revenge. The family had no enemies. No reason to be targeted.

And while he took items — clothes, $250 in cash, and a gold engagement ring worth about $2,500 — it was clear he was there for their 12-year-old daughter.

The ring had a single diamond held by four gold prongs, with the numbers 4132 stamped inside.

It has never been recovered.

But what he did inside the house may be even stranger.

At one point, he made a threatening phone call from the family’s landline.

There was no call.

He staged the entire thing.

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Brief Summary

A family's quiet life is shattered by the abduction of their daughter Eliza in a rare crime in Lower Plenty.

Key points

A Shocking Crime. A crime in a quiet neighborhood leaves a family in disbelief.
The Intruder's Actions. The intruder made a fake phone call, raising questions about his identity.

Episode quotes

This family was presumably as unassuming as they come.

0:18WatchMar 16, 2026

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