434 - How Many Last Names Are There?
Digest
This episode of My Favorite Murder dives into the chilling true crime story of Jennifer Bastion and Michelle Welch, two young girls who were murdered in Tacoma, Washington, in 1986. The episode follows the investigation, which went cold for decades, highlighting the impact of these tragedies on the community and the families of the victims. The episode then details the breakthroughs in DNA technology that ultimately led to the identification and arrest of the two separate killers, Robert Washburn and Gary Hartman. The episode concludes with a discussion of the importance of DNA testing and the impact of Jennifer and Michelle's Law, which was passed in Washington state to allow law enforcement to collect DNA samples from deceased sex offenders. The episode is a powerful reminder of the importance of never giving up hope in solving cold cases and the advancements in technology that can help bring justice to victims and their families.
Outlines
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Introduction
This Chapter introduces the hosts, Kurt Brownleur and Scotty Landis, and their podcast, Bananas, which focuses on strange and unusual news stories. They invite listeners to join them for new episodes every Tuesday.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
My Favorite Murder Intro
This Chapter features the introduction to the My Favorite Murder podcast, with hosts Georgia Hardstark and Karen Kilgarriff. They discuss their excitement about recording in person and their upcoming vacation.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Vacation Pre-Record
This Chapter is a brief pre-recorded episode, with Georgia Hardstark announcing a solo story and a return to regular episodes on the 4th of July.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Merch and Promo Codes
This Chapter is a brief segment dedicated to promoting the My Favorite Murder merchandise and reminding listeners to use promo codes for advertised products.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
The Murders of Jennifer Bastion and Michelle Welch
This Chapter delves into the story of the murders of Jennifer Bastion and Michelle Welch in Tacoma, Washington. It details the circumstances surrounding their disappearances, the police investigations, and the emotional toll on their families. The chapter also highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement in the 1980s due to limited DNA technology.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Solving the Cold Cases
This Chapter focuses on the breakthroughs in DNA technology that ultimately led to the identification and arrest of the two killers. It describes the use of genealogical profiling, the painstaking process of analyzing case files, and the eventual DNA matches that brought justice to the victims' families. The chapter also discusses the impact of Jennifer and Michelle's Law, which was passed in Washington state to improve DNA collection practices.
Keywords
Jennifer Bastion
Jennifer Bastion was a 13-year-old girl who was murdered in Tacoma, Washington, in 1986. Her case went unsolved for over 30 years until advances in DNA technology led to the identification and arrest of her killer, Robert Washburn.
Michelle Welch
Michelle Welch was a 12-year-old girl who was murdered in Tacoma, Washington, in 1986. Her case went unsolved for over 30 years until advances in DNA technology led to the identification and arrest of her killer, Gary Hartman.
Tacoma, Washington
Tacoma is a city in the state of Washington, located on the Puget Sound. The murders of Jennifer Bastion and Michelle Welch in 1986 had a significant impact on the community and led to a heightened sense of fear and anxiety.
Cold Case
A cold case is a criminal investigation that has been inactive for a significant period of time. The murders of Jennifer Bastion and Michelle Welch were cold cases for over 30 years before being solved through advances in DNA technology.
DNA Technology
DNA technology has revolutionized criminal investigations, allowing law enforcement to identify suspects and solve cold cases. In the case of Jennifer Bastion and Michelle Welch, DNA evidence played a crucial role in identifying the killers after decades of inactivity.
Genealogical Profiling
Genealogical profiling is a technique used in criminal investigations that involves using genealogical databases to identify potential suspects based on DNA evidence. This technique was instrumental in solving the cold cases of Jennifer Bastion and Michelle Welch.
Jennifer and Michelle's Law
Jennifer and Michelle's Law is a law passed in Washington state that allows law enforcement to collect DNA samples from deceased sex offenders. This law was inspired by the murders of Jennifer Bastion and Michelle Welch and aims to improve DNA collection practices to help solve cold cases.
Robert Washburn
Robert Washburn was convicted of the murder of Jennifer Bastion in 2018. He was identified as a suspect through DNA evidence and genealogical profiling. He pleaded guilty to the crime and was sentenced to 26 years and six months in prison.
Gary Hartman
Gary Hartman was convicted of the murder of Michelle Welch in 2018. He was identified as a suspect through DNA evidence and genealogical profiling. He was sentenced to 26 years and six months in prison.
Q&A
What happened to Jennifer Bastion and Michelle Welch?
Jennifer Bastion and Michelle Welch were two young girls who were murdered in Tacoma, Washington, in 1986. Their cases went unsolved for over 30 years.
How were the cold cases of Jennifer Bastion and Michelle Welch solved?
Advances in DNA technology, specifically genealogical profiling, played a crucial role in solving the cold cases. DNA evidence from the crime scenes was used to identify the killers, Robert Washburn and Gary Hartman.
What is Jennifer and Michelle's Law?
Jennifer and Michelle's Law is a law passed in Washington state that allows law enforcement to collect DNA samples from deceased sex offenders. This law was inspired by the murders of Jennifer Bastion and Michelle Welch and aims to improve DNA collection practices to help solve cold cases.
What impact did the murders of Jennifer Bastion and Michelle Welch have on the community?
The murders had a significant impact on the community of Tacoma, leading to a heightened sense of fear and anxiety. Parents were afraid to let their children ride their bikes unsupervised, and the community was on edge for years.
What is the significance of the DNA evidence in these cases?
The DNA evidence was crucial in identifying the killers after decades of inactivity. It demonstrated the power of DNA technology in solving cold cases and highlighted the importance of preserving evidence.
What is genealogical profiling and how was it used in these cases?
Genealogical profiling is a technique that uses genealogical databases to identify potential suspects based on DNA evidence. In these cases, DNA samples from the crime scenes were compared to genealogical databases, leading to the identification of the killers.
What is the purpose of Jennifer and Michelle's Law?
The purpose of Jennifer and Michelle's Law is to improve DNA collection practices in Washington state by allowing law enforcement to collect DNA samples from deceased sex offenders. This law aims to prevent future cold cases and help solve existing ones.
What was the outcome of the trials for Robert Washburn and Gary Hartman?
Both Robert Washburn and Gary Hartman were convicted of their respective murders and sentenced to 26 years and six months in prison.
What impact did these cases have on the families of the victims?
The murders had a devastating impact on the families of the victims, who endured years of uncertainty and grief. The families were instrumental in advocating for changes in DNA collection practices and ensuring that justice was served.
Show Notes
This week, Georgia tells Karen about the murders of Jennifer Bastian and Michella Welch.
For our sources and show notes, visit www.myfavoritemurder.com/episodes.
Support this podcast by shopping our latest sponsor deals and promotions at this link: https://bit.ly/3UFCn1g
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices