The Invisible Death of The Missing | DOUBLE EPISODE | The New Detectives

The New Detectives・2 minutes read

Investigators solve cold cases involving missing persons, murders, and poisonings by utilizing forensic evidence, witness testimonies, and meticulous investigative work, leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrators responsible for the crimes. Through a complex web of evidence, forensic analysis, and reconstruction of events, justice is finally served for the victims, resulting in the conviction of those individuals guilty of heinous crimes.

Insights

Forensic science plays a crucial role in solving cold cases, aiding in identifying victims, determining causes of death, and securing convictions even years after the crimes were committed.
The persistence and dedication of investigators, combined with advanced forensic techniques, can unravel complex cases, leading to the successful identification of victims, the apprehension of suspects, and the delivery of justice through convictions.

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Recent questions

How did investigators identify the victim found at the boat ramp?
Through dental records, victim was identified as Genie.

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Summary

00:00

Cold Case Solved: Christine Elkins' Murder Discovery

Seven years after a woman vanishes, investigators find evidence at an isolated boat ramp on the Missouri River.
In a rural Virginia County, a skull and jewelry are found, the only clues to identify a victim.
Police struggle to build a case with torn shreds of tape after a woman's body is discovered.
Forensic science now aids in finding justice for victims even years after their disappearance.
In 1990, a small Midwestern town faces a methamphetamine problem, leading to arrests and cooperation from an informant.
Christine Elkins cooperates with authorities, wearing a wire to gather evidence against her supplier.
Despite suspicions and threats, the case against Tony Emery relies on informant testimony due to indecipherable recordings.
After Christine's disappearance, investigators focus on her last known interactions and chilling predictions.
With the Emery cousins in prison for drug charges, authorities turn to associates for information on Christine's disappearance.
Through a complex investigation involving a boat ramp, river currents, and forensic technology, Christine Elkins' car and remains are finally found, leading to murder charges against the Emerys.

22:14

"Murder of Genie Butkowski: Obsession Unveiled"

Victim identified as a young white female with a gunshot wound, indicating a lethal trajectory.
Victim's height estimated at five feet two to five feet four inches with reddish blonde hair.
Victim's description distributed to law enforcement agencies in Virginia.
Victim identified as 29-year-old Regina Butkowski, known as Genie, through dental records.
Genie's disappearance linked to her stormy relationship with Pernell Jefferson.
Jefferson's possessiveness and obsession with Genie highlighted, including a recorded struggle.
Genie's car found in an apartment complex in Richmond, Virginia, 130 miles away from her home.
Investigation focused on Pernell Jefferson, with evidence linking him to Genie's murder found in his co-worker's car.
Incriminating evidence, including reddish blonde hair similar to Genie's, found in Jefferson's co-worker's car.
Pernell Jefferson arrested on capital murder charges, convicted, and sentenced to life in prison for Genie's murder.

43:02

"Murder conviction based on forensic evidence"

Jody McCown disappeared, suspected involvement of Chester Higginbotham, no solid proof of a crime.
A decomposed body found in a ditch, believed to be Jody McCown, with physical evidence like zip ties, duct tape, and rope.
Victim confirmed as Jody McCown through fingerprint analysis, cause of death ruled asphyxiation by duct tape.
Forensic analysis at the crime lab failed to yield conclusive evidence from the duct tape.
Fracture analysis proved duct tape from Higginbotham's garage was used on Jody McCown, fibers matched with his car.
Button and thread comparison between garage and victim's shirt provided further evidence linking Higginbotham to the crime.
Reconstruction of events led to the belief that Higginbotham took Jody to the garage, bound her with duct tape, and killed her.
Higginbotham convicted of first-degree murder and kidnapping, sentenced to 40 years in prison.
Robert Curley poisoned with thallium, leading to his death, traced back to a thermos he used daily.
Investigation into Curley's murder revealed his wife, Joanne, as a suspect due to financial motives, but later evidence pointed to accidental poisoning through a transferred thermos.

01:05:07

Spousal Poisonings Lead to Murder Convictions

Joanne Curley had both motive and access to poison her husband, Robert Curley.
Joanne brought pizza and tea in a pint-sized thermos to Robert and his hospital roommate before his death.
Richard Bonan, Robert's roommate, contradicted Joanne's account, stating they did not ask for food or drink.
Joanne administered a fatal dose of poison to Robert as doctors tried to save him.
Joanne confessed to poisoning Robert with rat poison in his iced tea for financial gain.
Forensic findings provided a timeline, leading to Joanne's arrest and conviction for first-degree murder.
Walter Wallace, a police officer, was suspected of poisoning his wife, Beth, with cyanide.
Beth's autopsy revealed cyanide in her system, leading to Wallace's arrest and search of his residence.
Evidence found in Wallace's home, including potassium cyanide and forged documents, linked him to the murder.
Wallace was found guilty of bigamy and first-degree murder, sentenced to 30 years to life in prison.

01:27:54

"Fatal Chemical Purchase Leads to Murder Conviction"

Dana Jacobs purchased colchicine, a chemical that can be fatal in large amounts, the same day her husband fell ill.
Larry Jacobs died of a mysterious stomach ailment, leading to suspicions from his neighbor, John Balier, a Commonwealth Attorney.
Larry had a lethal amount of colchicine in his system, prompting investigators to question Dana, who claimed she used it for her swimming pool.
Dana's troubled financial situation, compulsive spending, and past criminal record raised suspicions about her involvement in Larry's death.
Dana was indicted for murder but later found guilty after evidence of a doctored suicide note and witness testimony emerged, leading to her conviction and sentencing to 28 years in prison.

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