After months of searching for Lucas, a private investigator found his body in Harvey County. Stepmother Emily Glass led private investigators to the bridge where Lucas's body was hidden.
On a national podcast, the investigator said Glass told him she found Lucas dead in his bed the day she reported him missing.
Lucas' case is why private investigators say they can sometimes solve cases that police can't. There are differences that give them an advantage.
They use the same tools as police, but private investigators like Jim Murray and Matt Hunter of Star Investigations can sometimes get a lead police can't.
"We're less of a threat sometimes to people that we're talking to because we have no powers of arrest," said Jim. "We can't arrest them."
They also work only one or two cases at a time - not 40 or 50.
They're more casual.
And they don't give Miranda Warnings.
"Typically if you're talking to somebody and you start reading them their rights, they are going to get nervous," said Jim. "Questions are going to change, and the direction of the interview is going to change."
"Private investigators have more time to deal with the case," said Matt.
That was the case for 5-year-old Lucas Hernandez.
A private investigator drove around with Lucas' stepmother Emily Glass, and they ended up at the bridge where Lucas' remains were hidden from view.
So why would a suspect talk to a private investigator?
"They want to save face with the family, so they will participate within the investigation, or with an interview," said Matt.
They also say anyone who commits a crime usually tells someone. They're another option for the families of victims who are desperate for answers.
Lucas Hernandez story shows why private investigators approach cases differently
