DNA: ID

Episode 104 Sherri And Megan Scherer And Genevieve Zitricki Part 2 Of 2 This is the Part 2 of the Scherer/Zitricki cases. If you have not listened to part 1 yet, stop now and listen to that part first. To listen to every episode of DNA: ID ad-free and get other benefits, simply  visit our channel page on Apple Podcasts to get started with an AbJack Insider subscription. Of course, you can also support DNA: ID with a Patreon subscription. For all things DNA: ID, visit the show's homepage Visit this link to buy DNA ID Merch

Episode 104 Sherri and Megan Scherer and Genevieve Zitricki Part 1 of 2   In 1998, an unthinkable crime rocked farm community Portageville, Missouri.  Sherri Scherer and her 12 year old daughter Megan were shot and killed, and Megan was sexually assaulted, in their own home in a 41 minute window of time.  A massive investigation into one of the state’s most heinous crimes ensued.  And soon, with the discovery of more and more crimes, the investigation would burgeon into a multi-state investigative effort to catch a killer.  Finally, forensic genealogy using DNA collected from an adolescent rape survivor provided answers to the questions that had haunted investigators and families in Missouri, Tennessee, and South Carolina.  But many fear that these crimes were just the tip of the iceberg for the monster that was Robert Brashers. To listen to every episode of DNA: ID ad-free and get other benefits, simply  visit our channel page on Apple Podcasts to get started with an AbJack Insider subscription. Of course, you can also support DNA: ID with a Patreon subscription. For all things DNA: ID, visit the show's homepage Visit this link to buy DNA ID Merch

Episode 103 Doe: ID 'New York Billy' Clarence Wilson  In 1986, the body of a man was pulled from Crater Lake in Montgomery TX 40 miles North of Houston. It soon became clear to investigators that he was the victim of a homicide having been shot multiple times, and his body weighed down with cinder blocks. Due to the injuries the man had suffered along with the water exposure and decomposition, police were unable to ID the man. He did have a couple tattoos, but it was not enough to help police give him his name back.  Somehow, police came to believe that the dead man went by the street name "New York Billy' but they didn't have much else, and he was laid to rest; buried with little hope of him ever being identified, or his killer caught. Years later as DNA Science evolved, police exhumed the man's body and used genealogy to finally ID him after decades. It turned out that New York Billy was actually Clarence Wilson who would have been 34 years old when he was found. He was living in Texas after a falling out with family back in Modesto, CA. He was last known by his family to be alive in 1985.  Now the police know who New York Billy is, but they don't know who killed him or why. That part of the mystery remains, but police are working hard to provide answers. 'New York Billy' finally has his name back; it's Clarence Wilson, and this is his story To listen to every episode of DNA: ID ad-free and get other benefits, simply  visit our channel page on Apple Podcasts to get started with an AbJack Insider subscription. Of course, you can also support DNA: ID with a Patreon subscription. For all things DNA: ID, visit the show's homepage Visit this link to buy DNA ID Merch

Episode 102 Jane Hylton    Sometime between 10:30 p.m. and 3:30 a.m. on the night of July 6-7, 1985, someone entered the house she was staying at and stabbed Jane 54 year old Jane Hylton 29 times.  Police set their sights on the most likely suspect – another resident of the house, 20 year old Ricky Davis.  It was just too far-fetched to believe that someone else random had come along and killed Jane, and Ricky was arrested, tried, convicted, and sent to prison.  But when the Northern California Innocence Project took up his case, they found untested DNA evidence. And this evidence would change everything.  Forensic genealogy showed that Ricky was innocent – and someone else entirely was to blame for Jane’s vicious murder.  To listen to every episode of DNA: ID ad-free and get other benefits, simply  visit our channel page on Apple Podcasts to get started with an AbJack Insider subscription. Of course, you can also support DNA: ID with a Patreon subscription. For all things DNA: ID, visit the show's homepage Visit this link to buy DNA ID Merch  

Episode 101 DOE: ID 'Valentine Sally' Carolyn Eaton    On Valentine's Day, February 14th, 1982, the body of a young woman was discovered by a worker along interstate 40 in Williams, Arizona. It became clear quickly to investigators that she had been murdered, and her body dragged out of sight of the road.  She was given the moniker 'Valentine Sally' An autopsy revealed that she had died from suffocation or asphyxiation. One potential clue found by the ME, was that Valentine Sally had recently had a tooth drilled in preparation for a root canal, and baby aspirin remnants were found packed into the open hole in her gum.Police were able to find multiple witnesses that they were confident had interacted with Valentine Sally in the days before she was killed. One of them gave her a ride and recalled her talking about a toothache. The other witness, a truck stop waitress, was the one who provided Valentine Sally with the baby aspirin for her gum. This waitress was able to describe an older man in a cowboy hat who was with Valentine Sally, and a sketch was made of him  Police sifted through hundreds of missing persons cases to ID Valentine Sally. They came to believe that she was Melody Cutlip; a runaway from Florida who left home in 1980. Despite Melody's mother saying that Valentine Sally was not her daughter, officials buried her and marked her headstone with the name Melody Cutlip, and closed her case. The case was thrown for a loop, when the real Melody Cutlip showed up alive and well. Police were back to square one with not much to go on.  Decades later, genealogy would provide detectives with Valentine Sally's real name; it was Carolyn Eaton who had run away from her Missouri home following an argument with her mom, over the holidays in late 1981, or close to New Year's 1982. Now police know who Valentine Sally really is, but they don't know who killed her. It seems likely that they have his DNA, and they also have the sketch of the man last seen with Carolyn. Time will tell if it's enough to close her case once and for all.  After four decades, Valentine Sally finally has her name back, it's Carolyn Eaton, and this is her story.  To listen to every episode of DNA: ID ad-free and get other benefits, simply  visit our channel page on Apple Podcasts to get started with an AbJack Insider subscription. Of course, you can also support DNA: ID with a Patreon subscription. For all things DNA: ID, visit the show's homepage Visit this link to buy DNA ID Merch

Episode 100 Cathy Sposito Part 2 of 2 This is the second part of episode 100; Cathy Sposito. If you have not listened to part 1 yet, stop now and go back and listen to that part first.   To listen to every episode of DNA: ID ad-free and get other benefits, simply  visit our channel page on Apple Podcasts to get started with an AbJack Insider subscription. Of course, you can also support DNA: ID with a Patreon subscription. For all things DNA: ID, visit the show's homepage Visit this link to buy DNA ID Merch

Episode 100 Cathy Sposito Part 1 of 2 In April 1987, Cathy Sposito was brutally killed on a popular, scenic hiking trail in broad daylight in Prescott Arizona.  Despite multiple earwitnesses to her murder, her killer eluded police.  A massive investigation turned up two prime suspects, but there was no smoking gun.  Then, a 1990 sexual assault on the same trail mirrored the MO, and again, the killer escaped.  This time, the survivor was able to describe her attacker, but his identity remained unknown. The two crimes were linked only theoretically until DNA evidence connected them, and tied them to the same man.  And that man was given a name by forensic genealogy, which solved the two cases at once.  This episode is sponsored by Factor Meals; healthy eating made easy. To save 50% on your subscription, use promo code DNA50 at our listeners exclusive Factor link. To listen to every episode of DNA: ID ad-free and get other benefits, simply  visit our channel page on Apple Podcasts to get started with an AbJack Insider subscription. Of course, you can also support DNA: ID with a Patreon subscription. For all things DNA: ID, visit the show's homepage Visit this link to buy DNA ID Merch  

Episode 99 Doe ID 'Bones 17' Lori Anne Razpotnik On December 30, 1985 Auburn city employees  25 miles south of Seattle, Washington were investigating a car that had gone over an embankment. While surveying the area, they made a startling discovery; two sets of human remains. The remains, which turned out to be those of two young women, could not be identified at the time and were named Bones 16 and Bones 17. For investigators, it became clear that the remains were quite possibly victims of The Green River Killer who was responsible for the murders of potentially dozens of sex workers in the Seattle area.  Eventually, The Green River Killer was caught and identified as Gary Ridgway, and though he was more than willing to talk about his crimes with investigators, he couldn't ID all of his victims, so for years some of them remained un-named; including the victim referred to as 'Bones 17'. Eventually genealogy would reveal that Bones 17 was actually Lori Anne Razpotnik; who had run away from home as a teenager in Lewis County, Washington in 1982. Lori had called home over the Thanksgiving holiday to tell her family she was okay and living in Seattle, but they never heard from her again, and were left to wonder what happened to her. Sadly, she crossed paths with Gary Ridgway. After nearly four decades, 'Bones 17' has her name back; it's Lori Anne Razpotnik, and this is her story.  To listen to every episode of DNA: ID ad-free and get other benefits, simply  visit our channel page on Apple Podcasts to get started with an AbJack Insider subscription. Of course, you can also support DNA: ID with a Patreon subscription. For all things DNA: ID, visit the show's homepage Visit this link to buy DNA ID Merch

Episode 98 Krista Martin In October 1989, Krista Martin was found bludgeoned and raped in her apartment in Wichita, Kansas.  Krista was a very social young woman with lots of friends and quite a bit of drama in her life – none of which led to her murder.  Police investigated thoroughly, but were stumped for years.  Krista’s case went cold until the WPD reopened it in 2020 with a focus on the DNA evidence.  Like most of DNA: ID’s cases, this case never would have been solved without forensic genealogy – but in this case, the genealogical analysis uncovered a misattributed parentage event, and left one family relieved and thankful to have answers, and one family in complete denial and anger. We still don’t know what happened between Krista and Paul Hart on that day in 1989. But we do know the he lived just six houses away from Krista, and that he killed her.   To listen to every episode of DNA: ID ad-free and get other benefits, simply  visit our channel page on Apple Podcasts to get started with an AbJack Insider subscription. Of course, you can also support DNA: ID with a Patreon subscription. For all things DNA: ID, visit the show's homepage Visit this link to buy DNA ID Merch

Episode 97 Doe ID: Ada Fritz In May, 1976,  a group of boys fishing along Sessions Creek in Grand Bay, Alabama when they found what appeared to be a mannequin in the water. Closer examination told them that it was the dead body of an older woman, and they ran to get help. Police retrieved the dead woman from the water and found that she had been shot in the head. She carried no ID, and her hands and dentures were missing. Police were not able to match her to any specific women that were missing and she was cremated and her ashes place into a mass grave. That might have been the end of ever finding out who the dead woman was had it not been for a crucial piece of luck and old evidence from the case that was re-examined. Police eventually were able to get a DNA profile from the dead woman, and genealogy determined that she was Ada Fritz who seemed to drop from sight not long before her body was found. While police couldn't prove who killed her, they had a good guess. They believed that a Mississippi man named Henderson James Williams was responsible. In 1994 he had been convicted of killing his mother, whose body was found in water off Hall Road in Grand Bay. The details of both crimes were very similar. Although police have yet to prove Henderson Williams is responsible for Ada's death, they were happy to give her her name back. It's Ada Fritz, and this is her story.   

Christina Castiglione Part 2 of 2 This is part 2 of the Christina Castiglione case; if you have not listened to part 1 yet, stop now and go back and listen to that part first.  To listen to every episode of DNA: ID ad-free and get other benefits, simply  visit our channel page on Apple Podcasts to get started with an AbJack Insider subscription. Of course, you can also support DNA: ID with a Patreon subscription.   For all things DNA: ID, visit the show's homepage Visit this link to buy DNA ID Merch

  Episode 96 Christina Castiglione Part 1 of 2   Christina Castiglione was last seen walking along Five Mile Road in Redford Township, MI.  The date was March 19th, 1983, and it was about 8:30 p.m. Her boyfriend waited for her at a store up ahead, but she never showed.  In the distance of about a half mile, she vanished.  Her half nude, strangled body was found a week later, miles away in a state-owned recreation area.  Her murder immediately called to mind another murder, almost exactly one year earlier.  Kim Louiselle was last seen looking for a ride home in Livonia, MI, on March 20th, 1982. She, too, vanished seemingly into thin air. Her body was found a month later, nude and strangled in a different state-owned recreation area. The two cases were always considered to be connected, but two murders proved no easier to solve than one, and decades passed. Not until forensic genealogy solved Christina’s case were answers also found in Kim’s case.  The same man had killed both women, and when police dug into his past, they discovered some extremely disturbing information about who Charles Shaw was. This episode is sponsored by Factor, chef-prepared, ready-to-eat meals delivered to your door. Visit this link and use promo code DNA50 to save 50% on your Factor order.    To listen to every episode of DNA: ID ad-free and get other benefits, simply  visit our channel page on Apple Podcasts to get started with an AbJack Insider subscription. Of course, you can also support DNA: ID with a Patreon subscription.   For all things DNA: ID, visit the show's homepage Visit this link to buy DNA ID Merch

Episode 95 Doe ID: Eileen Truppner In 1998, an unidentified victim of a brutal rape and murder who was left for dead was found by chance by a boater in a grassy area in southwest Broward County off of U.S. 27 in the state of Florida. The dead woman carried no identification, and did not match any missing women in the area. Attempts to ID her initially failed, although police suspected that she may be the victim of a serial predator in that area who had fled the United States. Years later, when DNA evidence was re-examined in  an effort to ID the victim through genealogy, police caught a break. The genealogy determined that the victim was Eileen Truppner;  a down on her luck woman who had bounced around the area prior to her death. But the re-examination of DNA that led to Eileen's identity, also led to that of her killer; Lucious Boyd, who turned out to be a different predator than the one police initially suspected. Boyd is on death row for his other crimes, and a case is currently being built against him in Eileen's case. This Florida Jane Doe finally has her name back, it's Eileen Truppner, and this is her story.    To listen to every episode of DNA: ID ad-free and get other benefits, simply  visit our channel page on Apple Podcasts to get started with an AbJack Insider subscription. Of course, you can also support DNA: ID with a Patreon subscription.   For all things DNA: ID, visit the show's homepage Visit this link to buy DNA ID Merch    

Episode 94 Rachael Johnson Part 2 of 2  This is part 2 of the Rachael Johnson case. If you have not listened to part 1 yet, go back and listen to that part first.  To listen to every episode of DNA: ID ad-free and get other benefits, simply  visit our channel page on Apple Podcasts to get started with an AbJack Insider subscription. Of course, you can also support DNA: ID with a Patreon subscription.   For all things DNA: ID, visit the show's homepage Visit this link to buy DNA ID Merch

  Episode 94 Rachael Johnson Part 1 of 2 In 1991, a woman was found lying in the street near Akron, Ohio, half naked and set ablaze.  She was quickly identified as Rachael Johnson, a young single mother who had last been seen walking in the parking lot of a local convenience store.  A thorough investigation by Akron police looked at everyone Rachael knew even remotely – investigators were certain that she knew her killer.  They were right, but it was not until decades later that forensic genealogy pointed them to someone they had never considered – someone who Rachael’s family knew all too well. To listen to every episode of DNA: ID ad-free and get other benefits, simply  visit our channel page on Apple Podcasts to get started with an AbJack Insider subscription. Of course, you can also support DNA: ID with a Patreon subscription.   For all things DNA: ID, visit the show's homepage Visit this link to buy DNA ID Merch

Episode 93 DOE: ID Robert Mullins On November 1st, 1991, hunters in Circleville, Ohio discovered unidentified human remains in a shallow grave near a private farm. Based on the size of the remains, the authorities thought that they belonged to a young woman. They also found evidence that the Doe's head had been moved with some kind of toothed saw, possibly indicating a homicide. After searching for missing women who might be a match for the Doe, police came up empty, and the case went cold. Over the years, various teams and experts worked with the remains, and the DNA gathered from them, and eventually discovered that the Jane Doe they had was actually a John Doe; the victim was a male. Eventually, DNA & genealogy led the authorities to ID the remains as belonging to Robert A. Mullins who was reported missing by his family. He had disappeared in Ohio in late 1988, or early 1989 when he was 21. Now the investigators knew who their victim was, but the search to find out the circumstances of his death, and who was involved, goes on.  The case remains an open homicide investigation with the Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office. Anyone with information about the case is urged to contact Lt. Jonathan Strawser at (740) 474-2176. This Doe finally has his name back; it's Robert Mullins, and this is his story.    To listen to every episode of DNA: ID ad-free and get other benefits, simply  visit our channel page on Apple Podcasts to get started with an AbJack Insider subscription. Of course, you can also support DNA: ID with a Patreon subscription.   For all things DNA: ID, visit the show's homepage Visit this link to buy DNA ID Merch

In 2024 , for the second year in a row, DNA: ID has been invited to be on podcast row at the Crimecon true crime convention. Stop by and say hi to host Jessica Bettencourt, pick up some goodies, and enter for a chance to win some DNA ID swag.  Crimecon 2024 is happening at the Gaylord Opryland in Nashville, TN May 31st to June 2nd, 2024. DNA: ID listeners can save 10% on their  standard Crimecon badges at checkout when they use code: DNAID (all one word). Don't delay because badges and hotel accommodations are going quickly. Hope to see you there! 

Episode 92 Pam Cahanes and Kathy Hicks Part 3 of 3 This is part 3 of 3 in the case of Pam Cahanes and Kathy Hicks. If you have not listened to parts 1 & 2 yet, stop now and go back and listen to those parts first.  This episode is sponsored by Hello Fresh home delivery meal kits. Go to HelloFresh.com/dnafree  and use code dnafree for FREE breakfast for life! One breakfast item per box while subscription is active.    To listen to every episode of DNA: ID ad-free and get other benefits, simply  visit our channel page on Apple Podcasts to get started with an AbJack Insider subscription. Of course, you can also support DNA: ID with a Patreon subscription.   For all things DNA: ID, visit the show's homepage Visit this link to buy DNA ID Merch

Episode 92 Pam Cahanes and Kathy Hicks Part 2 of 3 This is part 2 of 3 in the case of Pam Cahanes and Kathy Hicks. If you have not listened to part 1 yet, stop now and go back and listen to that part first.  This episode is sponsored by Hello Fresh home delivery meal kits. Go to HelloFresh.com/dnafree  and use code dnafree for FREE breakfast for life! One breakfast item per box while subscription is active.    To listen to every episode of DNA: ID ad-free and get other benefits, simply  visit our channel page on Apple Podcasts to get started with an AbJack Insider subscription. Of course, you can also support DNA: ID with a Patreon subscription.   For all things DNA: ID, visit the show's homepage Visit this link to buy DNA ID Merch

Episode 92 Pam Cahanes and Kathy Hicks Part 1 of 3 Season 4 of DNA: ID kicks off with a massive 3 part episode; In 1982, young Naval recruit Pam Cahanes had finally finished boot camp and graduated with her apprentice airman class. A weekend Liberty Pass allowed Pam to leave the Naval Training Center Orlando base for the first time in months. But Pam didn’t live to enjoy her newfound freedom. She was found strangled in her underwear, in the yard of a vacant house, shopping bags of personal items and her clothing strewn around her.  Despite an extensive investigation, DNA evidence, and a prime suspect, her case went cold.  This case was one of the first in Florida to use Forensic Genealogy to identify a suspect, someone never named in the case file.  And when that person’s DNA was entered into CODIS, the investigators learned that he WAS named in the case file – in a murder case in Hawaii two years before Pam’s. This episode is sponsored by Hello Fresh home delivery meal kits. Go to HelloFresh.com/dnafree  and use code dnafree for FREE breakfast for life! One breakfast item per box while subscription is active.    To listen to every episode of DNA: ID ad-free and get other benefits, simply  visit our channel page on Apple Podcasts to get started with an AbJack Insider subscription. Of course, you can also support DNA: ID with a Patreon subscription.   For all things DNA: ID, visit the show's homepage Visit this link to buy DNA ID Merch