>>> TONIGHT, THE DESPERATE SEARCH FOR SURVIVORS IN HAWAII AS THE DEATH TOLL RISES FROM THE CATASTROPHIC WILDFIRES. NEW IMAGES OF THE DEVASTATION ON MAUI. PEOPLE RETURNING HOME FOR THE FIRST TIME TO FIND ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOODS BURNED THE GOVERNOR SAYING, IT LOOKS LIKE A BOMB WENT OFF. NOW THE FRANTIC SEARCH MORE THAN A THOUSAND UNACCOUNTED FOR AND GROWING QUESTIONS, WHY WEREN'T MAUI'S WARNING SIRENS ACTIVATED AS THE FLAMES APPROACH? OUR TEAM IN THE DISASTER ZONE. >>> ALSO TONIGHT, ATTORNEY GENERAL MERRICK GARLAND GRANTING SPECIAL COUNSEL STATUS TO THE U.S. PROSECUTOR OVERSEEING THE HUNTER BIDEN INVESTIGATION, WHY NOW AFTER A FIVE-YEAR-LONG PROBE AND AFTER HIS DEAL FELL APART, IS THE PRESIDENT'S SON HEADED TO TRIAL? >>> THE JUDGE IN DONALD TRUMP'S ELECTION CONSPIRACY CASE LIMITING WHAT HE CAN SHARE PUBLICLY ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT'S EVIDENCE WHAT SHE WARNED THE FORMER PRESIDENT NOT TO DO. >>> SAM BANKMAN-FRIED, THE ONE-TIME CRYPTO MOGUL, THROWN IN JAIL AHEAD OF HIS FRAUD TRIAL. WHY THE JUDGE REVOKED HIS BAIL >>> NEW PHOTOS INSIDE THE HOME OF THE SUSPECTED GILGO BEACH SERIAL KILLER. WHY HIS FAMILY IS THREATENING TO SUE POLICE AND ALSO REVEALED HIS WIFE'S HEALTH BATTLE. >>> AND AMID THE DESTRUCTION ON MAUI, THE BELOVED LANDMARK STILL STANDING >> Announcer: THIS IS "NBC NIGHTLY NEWS" WITH LESTER HOLT >>> GOOD EVENING, AND WELCOME, EVERYONE. IN MAUI TONIGHT, RESIDENTS AND SURVIVORS OF THIS WEEK'S DEADLY FIRESTORM ARE BEING ALLOWED TO RETURN TO THE SCORCHED NEIGHBORHOODS THEY CALLED HOME TO SEE WHAT IS LEFT, BUT WARNED BY HAWAII'S GOVERNOR TO BRACE FOR THE WORST. MANY RESIDENTS OF LAHAINA AFTER MAKING HARROWING ESCAPES FROM THE ADVANCING FLAMES ASKING THE TOUGH QUESTIONS TONIGHT, WHY THERE WERE NO WARNING SIRENS BEFORE FLAMES CONSUMED EVERYTHING AROUND THEM. TONIGHT THE LAHAINA FIRE IS LARGELY CONTAINED AND POWER AND CELL SERVICE ARE SLOWLY COMING BACK TO LIFE IN A MOMENT MY INTERVIEW WITH HAWAII'S GOVERNOR OVER CONCERNS ABOUT WARNINGS TOM LLAMAS LEADS OFF OUR COVERAGE LEADING US OFF WITH BREAKING NEWS. >> Reporter: MAUI AND HAWAII EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DID NOT SOUND OFF THOSE SIREN, WHICH COULD HAVE LET RESIDENTS KNOW DANGER WAS APPROACHING. ALERTS DID GO OUT VIA PHONES AND ON BROADCAST TV AND RADIO, BUT WE JUST GOT BACK FROM FLYING OVER LAHAINA, AND I CAN TELL YOU ONCE THAT FIRE HIT, THERE WAS ALMOST NO ESCAPE TONIGHT, THE RETURN TO LAHAINA, RESIDENTS ALLOWED BACK IN, AND WE SAW FROM THE SKIES ABOVE THE SHOCK THAT AWAITS THEM. EVEN AT 400 FEET IN THE AIR, YOU CAN STILL SMELL THE SMOKE DAYS LATER, AND YOU LOOK DOWN, AND YOU CAN'T MAKE OUT WHAT YOU'RE SEEING IT LOOKS TO BE A TOWN THAT ONCE EXISTED, BUT NEARLY EVERY BUILDING, EVERY HOUSE, EVERY CAR SCORCHED COMPLETELY OFF THE MAP. BLOCK BY BLOCK WE SEE A GRID OF MISERY, ONCE THE CAPITAL OF THE HAWAIIAN KINGDOM, A TOURIST MECCA, AND NOW A WASTELAND OF ASH AND RUBBLE DOWN THERE, THERE'S THE GRIM SEARCH FOR BODIES HAPPENING RIGHT NOW, THOSE THAT COULD NOT ESCAPE AND THE RESIDENTS OF LAHAINA BELIEVE THAT THE DEATH TOLL IS GOING TO BE MUCH HIGHER, AND OFFICIALS HAVE WARNED THAT THEY EXPECT TO FIND EVEN MORE BODIES ONCE THEY START SEARCHING BUILDING TO BUILDING, HOUSE TO HOUSE. WE RODE IN WITH MAVERICK HELICOPTERS USUALLY GIVING TOURS, TODAY SAVING LIVES >> IT'S JUST BEEN HEARTBREAKING. IT'S ALMOST HARD TO EVEN PUT INTO WORDS WHAT WE'VE SEEN OUT HERE. >> Reporter: THEIR CHOPPERS CARRYING THOUSANDS OF POUNDS OF AID BEING UNLOADED BY REGULAR HAWAIIANS LOOKING TO HELP. >> WELL, LYING DEAD IN THE STREETS OUT HERE, HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE ARE DEAD I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S REALLY ON THE NEWS, WHAT THEY'RE SAYING. >> HAS IT BEEN TERRIBLE TO SEE THOSE IMAGES? >> IT'S DEVASTATING. IT'S HORRIBLE. THEY HAD NO WARNING. IT HAPPENED SO FAST. THE WINDS WERE SO STRONG >> Reporter: NEW VIDEO JUST IN SHOWING THE POWER OF THE DEADLY FIRES FORCING SO MANY TO FLEE INTO THE WATER, CLINGING TO ROCKS AMID CRASHING WAVES AND THICK SMOKE. FOR DAYS THE CATASTROPHIC WILDFIRES HAVE BURNED IN MAUI CARVING A DEADLY PATH LIKELY BECOMING THE LARGEST NATURAL DISASTER IN HAWAII'S HISTORY. >> EVERYBODY LOST EVERYTHING WE DON'T KNOW HOW TO FEEL I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU GUYS ARE SUPPOSED TO FEEL. >> Reporter: THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION, AND MANY RESIDENTS SAY THE FLAMES ERUPTED WITH ALMOST NO WARNING. >> MY HEART IS JUST BROKEN FOR EVERYONE, EVERYONE WHO HAS LOST SOMEONE, EVERYONE WHO DOESN'T KNOW WHERE SOMEONE IS >> Reporter: MAUI RESIDENT DANIELLE YAKU TELLS ME SHE CAN'T GET IN TOUCH WITH HER GRANDMOTHER. >> WE DON'T KNOW WHERE SHE IS. >> Reporter: WHO LIVED IN AN ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY. WHAT WOULD YOU WANT TO TELL HER >> TELL HER, I'D WANT TO TELL HER THAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR HER. GRANDMA, WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOU. IF -- IF YOU CAN REACH A PHONE TO CALL US, LET US KNOW WHERE YOU'RE AT OR ANYBODY CAN SEE HER, YOU KNOW, IS WITH HER AND KNOWS WHO SHE IS, AND JUST CONTACT US WE JUST WANT TO FIND SOME CONTACT TO GET HER. >> Reporter: NATIONAL GUARD RECOVERY TEAMS ARE ON THE GROUND IN LAHAINA WORKING THEIR WAY THROUGH NEIGHBORHOODS WHERE HOMES ONCE STOOD. >> THE FULL EXTENT OF THE DESTRUCTION OF LAHAINA, IT WILL SHOCK YOU. IT DOES APPEAR LIKE A BOMB AND FIRE WENT OFF. >> LET'S GO. >> Reporter: ALREADY THIS IS AMONG THE MOST DEADLY WILDFIRE DISASTERS IN THE U.S. AS THE STAGGERING SCOPE OF DEVASTATION CONTINUES TO GROW. >> TOM, THE SCOPE OF THE DEVASTATION JUST SETTING IN REALLY AS THE NUMBER OF VICTIMS THERE ONLY SEEMS TO BE CLIMBING >> Reporter: THAT'S RIGHT, LESTER, AND WITH RESIDENTS BEING ALLOWED BACK IN, WE BELIEVE WE'RE GOING TO LEARN MUCH MORE INFORMATION ABOUT NOT ONLY WHAT WAS LOST, BUT WHO WAS LOST AS SO MANY TONIGHT REMAIN MISSING. WE SHOULD ALSO MENTION THAT THERE ARE SEVERAL WILDFIRES ALL THROUGHOUT MAUI THAT ARE BURNING. THIS ONE IN THIS NEIGHBORHOOD DESTROYED EVERYTHING AS WE ACTIVELY HEAR FIREFIGHTERS IN HELICOPTERS DROPPING WATER OVER US. LESTER >> ALL RIGHT, TOM LLAMAS, THANK YOU. >>> AND THERE'S SO MANY STORIES OF SORROW AND UNCERTAINTY AS PEOPLE ON MAUI MOURN THE DEAD, SEARCH FOR THE MISSING, AND RETURN HOME TO FIND ABJECT DESTRUCTION HERE'S MIGUEL ALMAGUER >> Reporter: AS THE SMOKE AND FLAMES FINALLY BEGAN TO CLEAR, TONIGHT HERE IN LAHAINA, A NEW CRISIS UNFOLDS. IN THIS DESOLATE TORTURED LANDSCAPE, THE SEARCH FOR THE MISSING AND FOR THE DEAD >> THAT'S MY HOUSE RIGHT THERE. >> Reporter: KIMO KIRKMAN HAS FINALLY MADE IT HOME, BUT ALL HE HAS FOUND IS HEARTBREAK >> OH, MY GOD. IT'S THE MOST HEARTBREAKING THING I'VE EVER BEEN THROUGH. THE WORST THIN >> Reporter: WE FIRST MET THE KIRKMANS THURSDAY AND WAITED FOR DAYS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OR INSIDE SHELTERS FOR THIS CHANCE TO GO HOME. WHY DO YOU GET EMOTIONAL TALKING ABOUT YOUR COMMUNITY >> BECAUSE I LOVE MY COMMUNITY. THEY'VE RAISED MY GIRLS WITH ME. >> Reporter: THE KIRKMANS HAVE CLOSURE, BUT FAR TOO MANY ARE HAUNTED BY THE SILENCE. TONIGHT THERE IS NO OFFICIAL NUMBER FOR THE MISSING, WHILE SOME FEAR IT MAY BE AS HIGH AS A THOUSAND. A STREAM OF PLEAS CRY OUT ON SOCIAL MEDIA, MOTHERS, FATHERS, CHILDREN, DESPERATE TO FIND LOVED ONES. >> WHAT'S GOING THROUGH MY MIND IS D I JUST GO OVER THERE AND FIND MY DAD BECAUSE NO ONE ELSE IS >> Reporter: FROM CALIFORNIA, KIMBERLY BOONE IS WAITING FOR ANY WORD ABOUT HER FATHER. 79-YEAR-OLD SHADOW HASN'T BEEN SEEN SINCE THE FLAMES OVERTOOK HIS NEIGHBORHOOD >> FOR DAYS TO GO BY, THOSE NUMBERS ARE GOING TO GO UP, AND IF HE DID GET EVACUATED, WHERE DID HE GET EVACUATED TO? THERE'S NO INFORMATION REGARDING THAT >> Reporter: JASON SAYS HIS MOTHER IS ALSO UNACCOUNTED FOR. >> MY PLAN IS TO GET ON A PLANE AND FLY OUT THERE AND FIND OUT WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON. >> Reporter: YVONNE HASN'T RESPONDED TO THE URGENT CALLS FROM LOVED ONES, A MAUI RESIDENT OF 20 YEARS, SHE LIVED IN THE HEART OF LAHAINA >> WHAT WORRIES YOU IS IT INTERNET ACCESS OR IS IT SOMETHING ELSE >> Reporter: MANY HERE BELIEVE THE DEATH TOLL IS FAR GREATER THAN THE NUMBER CONFIRMED RESIDENTS CONTINUE TO TELL US, THERE ARE BODIES IN HOMES, CARS, AND IN THE WATER SURVIVORS TELL US WHEN THE FIRE FIRST HIT LAHAINA, THERE WASN'T WARNING OR MUCH TIME TO EVACUATE. IMAGINE BEING HOME, HEARING SCREAMS, AND LOOKING OUTSIDE, AND SEEING A WALL OF FLAMES THAT'S WHAT NEIGHBORS SAY HAPPENED RIGHT HERE >> WE'RE ALL A FAMILY. WE ALL -- WE DON'T EVEN LOCK OUR DOORS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD THERE'S NOTHING HERE FOR US ANYMORE IT'S -- IT'S JUST DEVASTATING. >> Reporter: TONIGHT, SO MUCH DESTRUCTION AND SO MUCH UNCERTAINTY IN THIS PARADISE NOW TURNED TO ASH. >> AND, MIGUEL, I'M LOOKING AT THAT LINE OF CARS OVER YOUR SHOULDER THERE APPEARS TO BE NO END TO THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE TRYING TO GET BACK INTO LAHAINA. >> Reporter: YEAH, LESTER, THIS LINE OF TRAFFIC STRETCHES FOR MILES. WE KNOW SO MANY FOLKS, IT'LL BE THEIR FIRST TIME RETURNING BACK TO THE BURN ZONE. MANY SHARE SIMILAR STORIES TO THE ONES YOU JUST HEARD THEY ARE LOOKING FOR LOVED ONES, AND MANY HAVE LOST IT ALL LESTER >> I'M JUST THINKING OF THE NERVOUS ANTICIPATION OF THE FOLKS IN THOSE CARS. ALL RIGHT, MIGUEL, THANK YOU. >>> EARLIER I SPOKE WITH HAWAII'S GOVERNOR, JOSH GREEN, AND BEGAN BY ASKING HIM TO RESPOND TO THOSE COMPLAINTS FROM RESIDENTS WHO SAY THERE WAS NO WARNING >> YEAH, THE TRAGIC NATURE OF THIS FIRE, WHICH WAS MADE WORSE BY 80-MILE-PER-HOUR GUSTY WINDS FROM THE REMNANT OF HURRICANE DORA, TOOK OUT TELECOMMUNICATIONS, AND THEY WERE FIGHTING THREE OTHER FIRES. THAT'S WHAT I'VE HEARD SO FAR. >> MY UNDERSTANDING IS A PRETTY ROBUST SIREN SYSTEM THERE. BUT IT DIDN'T WORK. WAS THERE A HUMAN FAILURE OR EQUIPMENT FAILURE OR A LITTLE OF BOTH >> IT'S TOO EARLY FOR ME TO TELL MUCH OF THE EQUIPMENT WAS DESTROYED WITH FIRE, AND IT'S A VERY REMOTE PLACE. OF COURSE, WE WOULD NEVER DIMINISH ANY KIND OF RESPONSIBILITY WE WILL LEAVE IT TO HI-EMA, WHICH IS OUR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT TEAM, TO HELP EXPLAIN THINGS GOING FORWARD RIGHT NOW WE'RE DOING ALL THAT WE CAN TO SUPPORT THE FAMILIES WHO HAVE LOST LOVED ONES, AND TO MAKE SURE EVERYONE HAS HEALTH CARE AND SOON HOUSING BECAUSE OF THE DEVASTATION. IT IS MUCH LIKE AN ATOMIC BOMB HIT LAHAINA, WHICH IS A PART OF MAUI LEAVING OTHER DEVASTATION. >> WE HAVE HEARD A STAGGERING NUMBER OF THOSE UNACCOUNTED FOR. IS IT YOUR BELIEF THAT WE WILL UNCOVER MORE GRIM SCENES OR THAT MANY OF THESE PEOPLE, MOST OF THESE PEOPLE ARE STAYING WITH FRIENDS OR FAMILY OR ELSEWHERE OUT OF CONTACT? >> YES, SO THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE BEEN OUT OF CONTACT BECAUSE THERE WAS LOSS OF TOTAL POWER AND CELL SERVICE. >> WILL THE NEWS GET WORSE BEFORE IT GETS BETTER >> IT WILL THERE WILL BE MORE FATALITIES REPORTED. IT WILL BE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF RECOVERY, BUT WE RECOVER WE ALWAYS RECOVER HERE IN THE ISLANDS. >> GOVERNOR GREEN, I KNOW YOU HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO SPEAK TO US. >> THANK YOU FOR INCLUDING US. >> ALL RIGHT, YOU TAKE CARE >> ALOHA >>> NOW, TO WASHINGTON WHERE ATTORNEY GENERAL MERRICK GARLAND APPOINTED A SPECIAL COUNSEL TO HANDLE THE CASE OF PRESIDENT BIDEN'S SON HUNTER, BUT REPUBLICANS TONIGHT ARE BLASTING GARLAND OVER WHO HE PICKED FOR THE JOB PETER ALEXANDER HAS LATE DETAILS >> Reporter: LESS THAN A MONTH AFTER HUNTER BIDEN WALKED INTO COURT EXPECTING THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS OF HIM WOULD END, TONIGHT HIS LEGAL TROUBLES ARE ONLY GROWING >> I'M HERE TODAY TO ANNOUNCE THE APPOINTMENT OF DAVID WEISS AS A SPECIAL COUNSEL. >> Reporter: ATTORNEY GENERAL MERRICK GARLAND ANNOUNCING TRUMP APPOINTE DELAWARE U.S. ATTORNEY DAVID WEISS, WHO'S BEEN INVESTIGATING HUNTER BIDEN FOR ALLEGED TAX AND GUN CRIMES HAD REQUESTED SPECIAL COUNSEL STATUS. >> THE APPOINTMENT OF MR. WEISS REINFORCES FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE THE DEPARTMENT'S COMMITMENT TO BOTH INDEPENDENCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY AND PARTICULARLY SENSITIVE MATTERS. >> Reporter: SHORTLY AFTER IN COURT PAPERS WEISS SAID, NEGOTIATIONS WITH HUNTER BIDEN'S ATTORNEYS FOR A PLEA DEAL WERE AT AN IMPASSE, AND THERE WOULD LIKELY BE A TRIAL. HUNTER BIDEN'S LAWYER TONIGHT SAYING HE EXPECTS A FAIR RESOLUTION TO THE CASE, BUT REPUBLICANS ARE BLASTING GARLAND'S SELECTION OF WEISS, WHO OVERSAW WHAT THE GOP CALLS A SWEETHEART PLEA DEAL THAT WOULD HAVE ALLOWED THE PRESIDENT'S SON TO AVOID PRISON TIME. THAT DEAL FELL APART UNDER SCRUTINY FROM A FEDERAL JUDGE. >> MR. WEISS HAS BEEN COMPROMISED. WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND BELIEVES THAT CHANGING THE TITLE OF WHAT YOU CALL MR. WEISS SOLVES ALL THE PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH MR. WEISS? NOBODY >> Reporter: CONGRESSIONAL REPUBLICANS ACCUSE GARLAND OF APPOINTING WEISS TO TRY TO STONEWALL THEIR INVESTIGATION INTO WHETHER PRESIDENT BIDEN WAS INVOLVED IN WHAT REPUBLICANS SAY WERE BIDEN FAMILY MEMBERS' EFFORTS TO ENRICH THEMSELVES OFF HIS POLITICAL CAREER. >> THIS IS AN ATTEMPT TO WHITEWASH THE BIDEN FAMILY CORRUPTION. >> Reporter: THE WHITE HOUSE HAS SLAMMED THE REPUBLICAN ALLEGATIONS AS INSANE CONSPIRACY THEORIES TONIGHT, THE PRESIDENT IGNORED REPORTERS' QUESTIONS BUT HAS REPEATEDLY DEFENDED HIS SON. >> I'M VERY PROUD OF MY SON >> Reporter: ALL OF THIS, A NEW POLITICAL HEADACHE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE WITH A POSSIBLE CRIMINAL TRIAL FOR THE PRESIDENT'S SON IN THE HEAT OF HIS FATHER'S RE-ELECTION CAMPAIGN LESTER. >> PETER, THERE'S ALSO A MAJOR HEADLINE TONIGHT IN THE SPECIAL COUNSEL'S ELECTION INTERFERENCE CASE AGAINST FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP. >> Reporter: YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT THE FEDERAL JUDGE ISSUED A PROTECTIVE ORDER TODAY BARRING MR. TRUMP FROM DISCUSSING SENSITIVE EVIDENCE AND AT ONE POINT WARNED ABOUT INFLAMMATORY STATEMENTS THAT COULD INTIMIDATE WITNESSES SAYING, IF IT HAPPENS, IT'LL INCREASE THE URGENCY TO PROCEED TO TRIAL QUICKLY. THE REPUBLICAN FRONT-RUNNER, DONALD TRUMP, WHO WAS NOT IN THE COURTROOM, HAS ARGUED, ANY LIMITS ON HIS SPEECH VIOLATE HIS FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS LESTER. >> PETER, THANK YOU. >>> IN 60 SECONDS, A JUDGE REVOKES BAIL FOR FORMER CRYPTO BILLIONAIRE. >>> AND NEW DETAILS ABOUT THE FAMILY OF THE SUSPECT IN THE GILGO BEACH KILLINGS RIGHT AFTER THIS >>> ALL RIGHT, WE'RE BACK NOW WITH A CASE OF SAM BANKMAN-FRIED, THE ONE-TIME CRYPTO MOGUL CHARGED WITH DEFRAUDING INVESTORS THE JUDGE TODAY REVOKING HIS BAIL AND SENDING HIM IMMEDIATELY TO JAIL. CNBC'S KATE ROONEY JOINS US NOW KATE, WHAT HAPPENED IN COURT? >> Reporter: SO, LESTER, SAM BANKMAN-FRIED HAD BEEN LIVING UNDER HOUSE ARREST AT HIS PARENTS' HOME IN PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA, ON CHARGES SURROUNDING THE COLLAPSE OF HIS CRYPTO COMPANY FTX. TODAY HE APPEARED IN A MANHATTAN COURT WHERE THE JUDGE SIDED WITH THE FEDERAL PROSECUTORS WHO HAD ACCUSED HIM OF WITNESS TAMPERING AND VIOLATING HIS BAIL CONDITIONS PROSECUTORS ACCUSED THE CRYPTO FOUNDER OF INTIMIDATING WITNESSES THROUGH HIS HUNDREDS OF INTERACTIONS WITH THE PRESS. OF PARTICULAR NOTE, THE BANKMAN-FRIED LEAKED DIARY ENTRIES OF HIS EX-GIRLFRIEND, CAROLINE ELLISON, TO "THE NEW YORK TIMES. ELLISON, WHO ENTERED A GUILTY PLEA LAST YEAR, IS EXPECTED TO BE A STAR WITNESS IN THAT TRIAL THAT KICKS OFF IN OCTOBER BANKMAN-FRIED, MEANWHILE, HAS PLEADED NOT GUILTY TO 13 CRIMINAL CHARGES LESTER. >> ALL RIGHT, KATE ROONEY, THANK YOU. >>> ALSO TONIGHT, NEW IMAGES FROM INSIDE THE HOME OF THE SUSPECTED GILGO BEACH SERIAL KILLER HIS FAMILY NOW THREATENING TO SUE POLICE FOR THE CONDITION THEY LEFT THE HOME IN AFTER THEIR SEARCH HERE'S STEPHANIE GOSK. >> Reporter: ATTORNEYS FOR REX HEUERMANN'S FAMILY SAY INVESTIGATORS LEFT THE ALLEGED SERIAL KILLER'S HOME UNLIVABLE. >> THEY CAN'T BE INSIDE THE HOUSE IS IN SHAMBLES IT'S RANSACKED THE CONDITIONS INSIDE ARE DEPLORABLE. >> Reporter: THE FAMILY IS CONSIDERING A LAWSUIT. TODAY LAWYERS RELEASED NEW PHOTOS OF THE HOME INCLUDING EVIDENCE BOXES PILED HIGH AND MISSING DRAINPIPES IN THE BATHROOM THE POLICE DEPARTMENT SAID IT DOES NOT COMMENT ON PENDING LITIGATION A LAWYER FOR HEUERMANN'S WIFE ALSO MADE A PUBLIC APPEAL FOR MONEY TO HELP THE FAMILY ASA ELLERUP, WHO FILED FOR DIVORCE, HAS CANCER, HE SAYS, AND THE INSURANCE IS RUNNING OUT. REX HEUERMANN PLEADED NOT GUILTY DOES HIS FAMILY BELIEVE HIM? >> THE ONLY THING HIS FAMILY KNOWS ABOUT THESE CHARGE IS WHAT'S REPORTED IN THE MEDIA. >> BUT DO THEY THINK HE DID IT? >> WE HAVEN'T HAD THE CONVERSATION FRANKLY, IT DOESN'T MATTER I NEED TO GET ASA BACK TO BEING MENTALLY HEALTHY. >> Reporter: REX HEUERMANN IS ACCUSED OF KILLING THREE WOMEN AND IS LINKED TO THE DISAPPEARANCE OF A FOURTH ACCORDING TO THE LONG ISLAND PROSECUTOR AND PLEADED NOT GUILTY THE TRIAL JUDGE ORDERED THE 59-YEAR-OLD TO GIVE PROSECUTORS A DNA CHEEK SWAB IN HIS DECISION WRITING, CONTRARY TO THE DEFENDANT'S CONTENTIONS, THERE IS PROBABLE CAUSE TO BELIEVE THAT THE DEFENDANT COMMITTED THE CRIMES CHARGED WHILE THE COURT CASE MOVES FORWARD, A MULTIAGENCY TASK FORCE KEEPS INVESTIGATING. AT LEAST 11 BODIES WERE DISCOVERED ON OR NEAR GILGO BEACH YEARS AGO. ONE ALLEGED SERIAL KILLER IS IN JAIL WHILE MANY WONDER IF THERE IS STILL ANOTHER. STEPHANIE GOSK, NBC NEWS, CENTRAL ISLIP, NEW YORK. >>> AND UP NEXT, MILLIONS STILL IN LIMBO FROM A MILITARY COUP AND HOW OUR OWN TEAM WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT OUT TEAM W >>> WE'RE BACK NOW WITH A DEEPENING CRISIS IN NIGER. OUR TEAM WAS THERE ON THE GROUND AS THE MILITARY SEIZED POWER IN A COUP. COURTNEY KUBE NOW ON HOW THEY ESCAPED. >> Reporter: TONIGHT, THOUSANDS TAKING TO THE STREETS IN NIGER SUPPORTING A MILITARY COUP. AS THE U.S. RAISES ALARMS ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE COUNTRY'S DETAINED PRESIDENT, MOHAMED BAZOUM, LAST SEEN PUBLICLY IN THIS IMAGE OVER A WEEK AGO. >> WE HAVE DEEP CONCERN FOR HIM, FOR HIS FAMILY, FOR HIS SECURITY AND WELL-BEING. >> Reporter: LEADERS OF NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES BUILDING A MILITARY FORCE THAT COULD DEPLOY TO RESTORE BAZOUM TO POWER, BUT NOW NBC NEWS HAS LEARNED THAT COUP LEADERS TOLD U.S. OFFICIALS THEY WILL KILL THE DEMOCRATICALLY ELECTED PRESIDENT IF ANY OUTSIDE MILITARY FORCES INTERFERE. WE TRAVELED TO NIGER THREE WEEKS AGO TO REPORT ON THE STRENGTH OF THE NIGERIAN PEOPLE STRUGGLING WITH IMMENSE POVERTY AND A GROWING TERROR THREAT, THEN THE CRISIS BEGAN. COUP LEADERS CLOSING THE AIRSPACE AND BORDERS, FOR DAYS COUP SUPPORTERS BURNING CARS BLOCKING TRAFFIC AND ATTACKING THE FRENCH EMBASSY. THE U.S. MILITARY NEGOTIATING WITH COUP LEADERS FOR PERMISSION TO RESTART FLIGHTS. WE JUST BOARDED THE PLANE. IT'S LATE AT NIGHT. SIX DAYS LATER NIGERIAN AUTHORITIES AGREED ALLOWING THE U.S. TO FLY IN A C-17 CARGO PLANE, FOR SECURITY FLYING UNDER THE COVER OF DARKNESS. SO, THIS IS THE FIRST AIRCRAFT TO FLY IN TO NIGER SINCE THE COUP LAST WEDNESDAY. IT CAME IN WITH SOME MEDICAL SUPPLIES FOR THE U.S. TROOPS AND U.S. PERSONNEL WHO ARE HERE IN THE CAPITAL REGION, AND WE'VE JUST BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH THAT THEY HAD A COUPLE OF SEATS AVAILABLE. WE LANDED AT A U.S. AIR BASE IN GERMANY THE NEXT MORNING. >> OH, HOW ARE YOU? GOOD TO SEE YOU. >> Reporter: BUT MILLIONS OF NIGERIANS ARE STILL CAUGHT IN THIS CRISIS, AND TONIGHT THE U.S. STILL HAS NOT DESIGNATED THIS A COUP OR WITHDRAWN ANY MILITARY FORCES. LESTER. >> GREAT TO HAVE YOU AND THE TEAM BACK. COURTNEY, THANK YOU. >>> UP NEXT, HOW THE >>> FINALLY FROM MAUI DESPITE THE >>> FINALLY FROM MAUI, DESPITE THE DESTRUCTION, DANA GRIFFIN SHOWS US HOW THE SPIRIT OF ALOHA, LOVE, AND COMPASSION REMAINS STRONG IN HAWAII >> Reporter: BENEATH THE ASH AND DEBRIS IN THE TOWN OF LAHAINA ON MAUI'S WEST COAST, A HISTORY RICH WITH CULTURE NOW LAYS BURIED. >> LAHAINA IS OFTEN CHARACTERIZED AS A TOURIST DESTINATION, BUT ITS HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE RUNS DEEP. >> Reporter: THIS MAN'S FAMILY HAS LIVED ON MAUI FOR SEVEN GENERATIONS. WHAT'S THE CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF LAHAINA? >> IT'S LIKE WALKING THROUGH AND CAPITALIST HISTORY THROUGH THE ANNALS OF COLONIAL AND CAPITALIST HISTORY OF HAWAII STARTING FROM ROYALTY TO WHALING TO SANDALWOOD >> Reporter: LAHAINA, WHICH MEANS CRUEL SUN, WAS THE ORIGINAL CAPITAL OF THE HAWAIIAN KINGDOM MADE SO BY KING KAMEHAMEHA WHO UNITEDS HAWAII'S ISLANDS IN 1882. THE FORMER SITE OF KAMEHAMEHA'S PALAC IN THE AREA ENGULFED BY FLAMES, ALONG WITH THIS 200-YEAR-OLD CHURCH, THE FINAL RESTING PLACE FOR SEVERAL HAWAIIAN KINGS AND QUEENS >> WE LOST OUR BUSINESS, BUT OUR FAMILY IS HERE. >> Reporter: GONE TOO IS TIFFANY'S LAHAINA GIFT SHOP. >> THE NICE THING ABOUT LAHAINA, SUCH A SENSE OF FAMILY. EVERYBODY WATCHES OUT FOR EACH OTHER, AND WHEN TRAGEDIES HAPPEN, EVERYBODY BANDS TOGETHER. >> Reporter: AS MUCH AS HAS BEEN DESTROYED, STILL STANDING IS LAHAINA'S 150-YEAR-OLD BANYAN TREE. IT IS BADLY BURNED BUT OFFICIALS NOW HOPING THE ROOTS ARE HEALTHY AND THAT THE TREE LIKE LAHAINA CAN COME BACK. >> IF WE CAN HAVE THE TREE, IT'S LIKE A LITTLE GEM IN THAT TO KEEP US GOING, THAT WOULD BE GREAT. >> Reporter: DEEPLY ROOTED HERE, THE ALOHA SPIRIT EXTENDING WARMTH TO OTHERS NEEDED IN LAHAINA MORE THAN EVER. DANA GRIFFIN, NBC NEWS, MAUI >>> THAT'S "NIGHTLY NEWS" FOR THIS FRIDAY. THANKS FOR WATCHING. I'M LESTER HOLT. PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND EACH OTHER.