Page 5 - Michael Fleeman News Today

>> reporter: and especially in light of tonis death, they wished lynns case had been investigated more thoroughly. the douglas county sheriffs office declined to speak with us. but michael fleeman who has written a book about the henthorn cases says sheriffs detectives did investigate, at least initially. >> everything was progressing as if this was suspicious, and then all of a sudden the brakes were put on the investigation. it was declared an accident and forgotten for nearly 20 years. >> rep...

>> reporter: what did you think when she said she fell? >> i just said, is she okay? no, she died. and i fell to my knees. and my husband said, oh, my gosh, whats going on? and i said, dr. henthorn fell off a cliff. >> reporter: everyone was heartbroken for toni. harold. and, most of all, the henthorns 7-year-old daughter haley. >> i put myself on the mountain and at the moment that she probably knew, well, this is it, you know. i know her thoughts were of haley. >> reporter: about 150 people di...

An investigator -- i said, that sounds worse than my sisters case >> reporter: and especially in light of tonis death, they wished lynns case had been investigated more thoroughly the douglas county sheriffs office declined to speak with us but michael fleeman who has written a book about the henthorn cases says sheriffs detectives did investigate, at least initially. >> everything was progressing as if this was suspicious, and then all of a sudden the brakes were put on the investigation it was...

>> reporter: journalist michael fleeman covered the death of toni henthorn. >> i just thought the extent of their police work was to tell you to put out a rogue campfire or something, or dont park here, dont feed the bears >> reporter: but theres more to it every death in our national parks is investigated. and in tonis case the same emt ranger who came to rescue her now switched roles from rescuer to cop >> people wear different hats at the park service the guy who schlepped out there in the mi...

>> reporter: friends and family were suspicious of harold for many reasons, including that he couldnt seem to get his story straight about what happened to toni. the night she died, harold told tonis older brother barry on the phone that toni had lagged behind on the trail and he lost sight of her until he saw her at the bottom of the cliff where she fell. but later, when he spoke to tonis younger brother todd, harold added several new details. >> toni was taking a picture and he had gotten -- r...

>> i just said, is she okay? no, she died. and i fell to my knees. and my husband said, oh, my gosh, whats going on? and i said, dr. henthorn fell off a cliff. >> reporter: everyone was heartbroken for toni. harold. and, most of all, the henthorns 7-year-old daughter haley. >> i put myself on the mountain and at the moment that she probably knew, well, this is it, you know. i know her thoughts were of haley. >> reporter: about 150 people die in national parks each year. in rocky mountain nationa...

Wife had died of cancer. and heres what tonis friend allison heard -- >> it was one of those cars or trucks or vehicles where the back part opens up. it hit her on the neck and it broke her neck. and she died instantly. >> reporter: what tonis family said harold had told them was much more vague. when they learned the truth, it was a complete shock. your belief was that harolds first wife had died in a car accident. thats all you knew. >> yeah. >> reporter: and then you get this bombshell that s...