Matt Lauer Talks Exclusively to Sniper Lee Boyd Malvo On TODAY

Related: TODAY, NBC

In an exclusive television interview, airing on "Today" Thursday, October 25, Matt Lauer talks to D.C. sniper Lee Boyd Malvo who is serving a life sentence at a southwest Virginia prison. On the tenth anniversary of his arrest, Malvo opens up to Lauer, for the first time, about how he was sexually abused by John Allen Muhammad. He also talks to Lauer about how there are more victims than the ones he and sniper mastermind John Allen Muhammad had previously admitted to, life in solitary confinement and his message to the victims' families.

Malvo and Muhammad were tried in 2006, Muhammad was executed in 2009.

Following are excerpts from the interview with Matt Lauer which aired on "Today" October 25.

LEE BOYD MALVO:
For the entire period when I was almost 15 until I got arrested, I was sexually abused by John Muhammad.

Matt Lauer:
You have denied this in the past, that there was a sexual relationship between the two of you. Why did you deny it up until now, and why are you divulging it now?

LEE BOYD MALVO:
I felt a sense of shame, and I just said, "That's just something that I'd never tell anyone." And to a certain extent, up until that point, I really couldn't handle it. The main reason I'm coming forward now is because I am more mature. As far as the guilt that I carried around for several years, I dealt with that to a large extent for years. And now, I can handle this. In here, there's no therapy. Rehabilitation is just a word. In solitary confinement, in a cell by yourself, I am priest, doctor, therapist. So, it just worked out that-- that I just-- I just took it off piece by piece. That I could handle it.

Matt Lauer:
To this date, are there victims of your shooting spree that have not been identified?

LEE BOYD MALVO:
Yes.

Matt Lauer:
Wouldn't it be helpful to family members of those other people to give more information and tell the police what you know?

LEE BOYD MALVO:
Without anyone contacting me two and a half years ago, I reached out and I did that. In five different instances in different states. But there was a point in time where psychologically, I couldn't handle it. It's-- this-- this is the reality. In here, I have no one. I have to take care of myself. Yes, it-- this is something I want to do, and will do. And I tried it. But at that point in time, I know I couldn't handle it. I took care of some, and then I'll finish up the rest. I cannot afford to break down psychologically in here, because there will be no help.

Matt Lauer:
So, to the family members of the victims, if this indeed is the last time they will hear from you, what would you say to them?

LEE BOYD MALVO:
I would share with them what I've used for myself. What has worked for me. Please do not allow my actions and the actions of Muhammad to hold you hostage and continue to victimize you for the rest of your life. If you give those images and thoughts that power, it will continue to inflict that suffering over and over and over and over and over again. Do not give me or him that much power.