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Killer Confessions | DOUBLE EPISODE | The New Detectives

The New Detectives・2 minutes read

A female serial killer, Lori Grody, also known as Cami Green and Eileen Warnus, confessed to killing six men in Florida, claiming self-defense and anger towards men, making her one of the first known female serial killers. Despite extensive forensic analysis and efforts, the identity of a dismembered victim remains unknown, highlighting the challenges in solving crimes without victim identification.

Insights

  • Lori Grody, also known as Cami Green and Eileen Warnus, confessed to killing six men, claiming self-defense but was believed to have acted out of anger towards men in her life, showcasing the complex motives behind serial killers' actions.
  • Dr. Bass's creation of the Body Farm near Knoxville not only advances forensic science by studying human decomposition but also aids in identifying unclaimed bodies and assisting law enforcement in solving cases, demonstrating the critical role of research facilities in criminal investigations.

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Recent questions

  • Who was the first known female serial killer?

    Lori Grody, also known as Cami Green and Eileen Warnus

  • What was the killer's weapon of choice?

    22-caliber pistol

  • How did investigators link Lori Grody to the crimes?

    Through a bloody palm print found in a car

  • What was the motive behind the killings?

    Retaliation against abusive men

  • What was the significance of Dr. William Maples in the case?

    Expert in skeletal identification

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Summary

00:00

Female Serial Killer: Lori Grody's Reign

  • In December 1989, Richard Mallory, a Tampa man, was found shot and abandoned near his car outside Daytona Beach.
  • Investigator Larry Horza led the search for clues in Mallory's case, collecting evidence but finding little pointing to the killer.
  • Police in multiple counties in Florida were unaware of a string of connected murders of older men traveling alone on major highways.
  • The killer used a 22-caliber pistol, positioned the victims' car seats close to the steering wheel, and was possibly a short person, maybe a woman.
  • A bloody palm print found in a car linked to Peter Sims was matched to Lori Grody, also known as Cami Green and Eileen Warnus.
  • Warnus was arrested after being seen fleeing a car crash with another woman, leading to the discovery of stolen items from murder victims.
  • Warnus confessed to killing six men, claiming self-defense, but was believed to have acted out of anger towards men in her life.
  • Forensic analysis linked Warnus to the crimes through fingerprints found on stolen items, leading to her arrest and conviction.
  • Warnus was one of the first known female serial killers, with Anne Rule suggesting her motive was retaliation against abusive men.
  • The lack of remorse in serial killers like Warnus is a chilling aspect, with forensic evidence crucial in stopping them and proving their crimes.

22:31

Unsolved Murder: Confession, Search, and Identity Unknown

  • The original homicide was committed in a field, leading to a grid search where a shoe was found, potentially belonging to the victim.
  • Klein confessed to returning to the crime scene three days later, dismembering the body with an ax and a paring knife on a marshy swamp Island.
  • Klein's confession, while detailed, is not sufficient evidence without finding the body, leading to a search for the victim's remains.
  • Dr. William Maples, an expert in skeletal identification, is brought in to assist in identifying the victim's remains.
  • The killer's use of a paring knife on the victim's body may provide crucial evidence for corroborating Klein's confession.
  • Crime scene officers search the island for evidence of the dismembered body, focusing on bones sliced with a paring knife.
  • Bones found on the island show evidence of hatchet trauma, confirming the use of an ax or hatchet in dismembering the body.
  • Klein's confession reveals disturbing details about his treatment of the victim's head, which he kept for a period before discarding it.
  • Despite extensive efforts, including forensic analysis and composite sketches, the victim's identity remains unknown.
  • The timeline of the murder is estimated based on the condition of the bones, with a quarter found dating back to 1980, suggesting a broad timeframe for the crime.

43:26

Forensic Anthropology: Solving Crimes Through Science

  • Dr. Bass in Tennessee uses a boxing system for storage of over 2,000 skeletons sent to his facility by medical examiners.
  • With the help of graduate students, Dr. Bass assists police in determining the sex, race, and other identifying characteristics of unclaimed bodies.
  • Dr. Bass established an outdoor preserve known as the Body Farm near Knoxville to study human decomposition rates affected by weather, climate, and exposure.
  • Bodies left to decompose at the Body Farm are analyzed to understand the effects of exposure on skin, bones, and tissue.
  • Bone and hair samples from the bodies are sent to the FBI monthly for DNA analysis to determine the impact of exposure on DNA.
  • Dr. Bass studies various ways killers dispose of victims, including observing decay rates in automobiles to understand decomposition processes.
  • Forensic anthropologist William Maples identifies the age, sex, and race of a partial skeleton to corroborate a confession in a murder case.
  • In another case, Fairfax County investigators struggle to identify a female murder victim, highlighting the challenges in solving crimes without victim identification.
  • Despite obstacles, detectives in Fairfax County remain optimistic about solving the case, emphasizing the importance of relationships and advancing technology in cold case investigations.
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