in. >> reporter: the contractor followed instructions, and within minutes, law enforcement responded to the scene ready to investigate two potential burglaries right next door to each other. police taped off the area. now tamara's neighbors were calling her at work, including kay's husband david. he was traveling on business. >> he asked me, "have you spoken to kay?" and i'm, like, "no, not today. i'm at work." and he says, "okay, i'm just trying to get in touch with kay. i'm in california." >> reporter: first responders at the scene alerted investigator jimmy edmunds with the columbia county sheriff's office. >> it's very unusual to have -- have two houses side by side, you know, hit it one time that's, you know, that same way. >> reporter: so are you thinking, "where's this guy gonna go next?" >> correct. i'm definitely thinking, "where's he at?" >> reporter: but as edmunds turned his attention to the break-ins at these two homes, he and his team discovered something ugly. >> she was in a pool of blood. >> reporter: this wasn't going to be a simple burglary.