Digest

This episode delves into the unsolved murder of Dana Chism, a young woman who was found dead in her Washington, D.C. apartment in 1995. The episode begins by introducing Dana and the unusual circumstances surrounding her death, including a mysterious phone call from a man claiming to be a detective. The investigation is further complicated by the discovery of a disturbing message left by the killer, suggesting that he will be back. The episode explores the missing evidence, including Dana's date book, diary, and caller ID box, which were likely taken by the killer to erase any trace of their presence. It is revealed that Dana was working as an escort, leading to a wide range of potential suspects, including several law enforcement officers. The episode also examines the potential connection between Dana and Detective Lewis Douglas, who initially denied knowing her but later remembered meeting her during an investigation. The episode concludes with an update from the current police commander, who confirms that progress has been made in the case, possibly related to the testing of evidence. The episode emphasizes the importance of testing available evidence to finally bring justice to Dana and her family.

Outlines

00:00:00

The Unsolved Murder of Dana Chism

This episode investigates the unsolved murder of Dana Chism, a young woman who was found dead in her Washington, D.C. apartment in 1995. The episode begins by introducing Dana and the unusual circumstances surrounding her death, including a mysterious phone call from a man claiming to be a detective. The investigation is further complicated by the discovery of a disturbing message left by the killer, suggesting that he will be back.

00:01:00

The Mysterious Phone Call and Missing Evidence

The episode explores the missing evidence, including Dana's date book, diary, and caller ID box, which were likely taken by the killer to erase any trace of their presence. It is revealed that Dana was working as an escort, leading to a wide range of potential suspects, including several law enforcement officers.

00:03:44

The Landlord's Discovery and the Crime Scene

The episode details the discovery of Dana's body by her landlord and the subsequent investigation by the police. The episode also examines the disturbing message left by the killer, suggesting that he will be back.

00:09:30

The Killer's Identity and the Connection to Detective Douglas

The episode examines the potential connection between Dana and Detective Lewis Douglas, who initially denied knowing her but later remembered meeting her during an investigation. The episode also explores the possibility that the killer had a personal relationship with Dana and may have ties to law enforcement.

00:17:22

The Mysterious Caller and the Search for Answers

The episode explores the significance of the message left by the killer, "I'll be back in PE," and the possibility that it holds clues about his identity. The investigators believe that the killer had a personal relationship with Dana and may have ties to law enforcement.

00:31:18

The DNA Evidence and the Lack of Progress

The episode discusses the potential for DNA evidence in the case, including samples from the crime scene and fetal tissue. However, due to limited resources and the inability to locate some evidence, the investigation has stalled.

00:41:12

Recent Progress and the Importance of Testing

The episode concludes with an update from the current police commander, who confirms that progress has been made in the case, possibly related to the testing of evidence. The episode emphasizes the importance of testing available evidence to finally bring justice to Dana and her family.

Keywords

Q&A

• What were the unusual circumstances surrounding Dana Chism's murder?

  Dana's parents received a fake phone call from a man claiming to be a detective, informing them that Dana was in jail for sex work. This call turned out to be a lie, but it added a layer of confusion and suspicion to the investigation.

• What evidence was missing from Dana's apartment?

  Dana's date book, diary, caller ID box, and apartment key were missing, suggesting that the killer intentionally tried to erase any trace of their presence in her life.

• Why was DNA testing limited in 1995?

  DNA testing was expensive and resource-intensive in 1995. It was primarily used to confirm the guilt of a known suspect, not to identify potential suspects.

• What recent progress has been made in Dana's case?

  The current police commander confirmed that progress has been made in the case, possibly related to the testing of evidence. However, he could not provide specific details due to the ongoing investigation.

• What is the significance of Dana's pregnancy in the case?

  Dana's pregnancy is a crucial piece of the puzzle, as it could lead to the identification of the biological father, who may be a potential suspect.

• What can listeners do to help solve Dana's case?

  Listeners can contact the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C. with any information they may have about Dana's case. They can also remain anonymous and text tips to the MPD's text tip line.

Show Notes