>> 'cause she had something down in kansas that she was gonna be going and interviewing for after those few days at work. >> reporter: his mom had mentioned a possible job change. she'd even discussed with him staying with grandma to finish high school. and then, early that weird week. >> i got a text saying, "hey, the -- i got a second interview." >> reporter: but she'd be back from kansas on the weekend, she texted for a family wedding. at which max was an usher. but, as the bride walked down the aisle, no sign of cari. >> i was just like, okay, she's just running late. she'll be at the reception. she'll be there for the party and everything. but at the party, i remember probably every five, ten minutes, i was glancing back at the door just hoping. >> where is she? >> yeah. just wondering where she was. i just kept saying, "oh, she'll be here any minute, be here any minute." midnight got around and she wasn't there. and i had -- i didn't know what to think at that point.