for vern holbrook s family, in an all night vigil at this trauma center in seattle. they d gathered quickly at vern s bedside after hearing he d been badly beaten. his throat slashed apparently, at a house he was showing to real estate clients. what were you told about his condition and his prognosis? they were worried about how much air he was getting to his brain. the vern that we all loved died that day. reporter: vern s former daughter-in-law jill remembers hearing of the attack and how it frightened the entire family. my son texted me that grandpa was attacked and that he was scared and he wanted me to come pick him up. reporter: and the task of quieting the family s fears and finding out who had attacked vern was now in the hands of this man. yakima county sheriff s detective sam perrault. did you know vern holbrook? i knew of him.