Two families torn apart: The story of Alexander Ernandes

Published: March 18, 2020, 8 a.m.

In true crime, the story always seems to start like this: they had a perfect life, a loving family, a great home. Then we talk about how everything goes to hell. When parents seemingly do everything right. Work long hours. Raise their children in a supporting and loving household--And they’re still punished. We have to try to make sense of it. There’s a reason we say at the top of every episode: this could be you. No matter how good of a person you are. No matter how hard you work and how much love you give--This could be you. In the 83rd episode of The First Degree, Alexis, Jac and Billy tell the tale of two families torn apart by a reckless act in the story of Alexander Ernandes, a West Point hopeful who was betrayed in the worst way by one of those closest to him.