Digest

This episode of The Deck delves into the chilling case of Linda "Lulu" Caesar, a young woman whose life was tragically cut short in the summer of 1983. Found stabbed to death in Keeney Park in Hartford, Connecticut, Lulu's case has remained unsolved for over four decades. The episode follows the investigation, highlighting the challenges faced by detectives in a time before widespread DNA technology. Early leads, including an anonymous tip and a witness who claimed to have seen Lulu with a man named Michael, proved inconclusive. A significant turning point came when Robert Graham, a known violent sex offender, came forward claiming to have witnessed Lulu's murder. Graham's story, however, was riddled with inconsistencies and ultimately led to his arrest for making a false statement. Years later, another witness, Shirley, came forward with a shocking revelation: Robert had confessed to her that he had killed Lulu. Shirley's account, corroborated by the discovery of a knife tip at the crime scene, led to Robert's arrest for Lulu's murder. Despite the compelling evidence, the case against Robert was ultimately dismissed due to the lack of corroborating evidence. The episode concludes with Detective Andrew Jacobson, who took over the case in 2016, discussing the ongoing investigation and the need for public assistance in solving this cold case. He emphasizes the importance of finding Lulu's friend Shirley, who may hold the key to finally bringing closure to this tragic case.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction: Linda "Lulu" Caesar's Case

This Chapter introduces the case of Linda "Lulu" Caesar, a young woman from Connecticut who was found murdered in Keeney Park in Hartford in 1983. The episode highlights the challenges faced by detectives in solving this cold case, particularly due to the lack of DNA technology at the time.

00:01:19

The Discovery of Lulu's Body

This Chapter details the discovery of Lulu's body in Keeney Park by two men on their way to find work. The episode describes the gruesome scene and the initial investigation, including the challenges faced by detectives in identifying the victim and processing the crime scene.

00:12:13

Robert Graham's Confession

This Chapter focuses on the emergence of Robert Graham, a known violent sex offender, as a potential suspect in Lulu's murder. Graham claimed to have witnessed Lulu's murder and implicated another individual, Jennifer, in the crime. However, his story was met with skepticism by detectives, leading to his arrest for making a false statement.

00:15:28

Shirley's Testimony

This Chapter details the crucial testimony of Shirley, a woman who claimed to have been with Robert Graham on the night of Lulu's murder. Shirley revealed that Robert had confessed to killing Lulu, providing a detailed account of the events leading up to the murder. This testimony, along with the discovery of a knife tip at the crime scene, led to Robert's arrest for Lulu's murder.

Keywords

Q&A

• What were the challenges faced by detectives in solving Lulu's murder in the early 1980s?

  The detectives faced several challenges, including the lack of DNA technology, the secluded nature of the crime scene, and the difficulty in identifying the victim. The absence of DNA evidence made it difficult to link suspects to the crime, and the lack of surveillance in Keeney Park made it challenging to gather evidence.

• Who was Robert Graham, and what role did he play in Lulu's case?

  Robert Graham was a known violent sex offender who came forward claiming to have witnessed Lulu's murder. He implicated another individual, Jennifer, in the crime, but his story was met with skepticism by detectives. Graham was arrested for making a false statement, but he was never convicted of Lulu's murder.

• What was the significance of Shirley's testimony in Lulu's case?

  Shirley's testimony was crucial because she claimed that Robert Graham had confessed to her that he had killed Lulu. She provided a detailed account of the events leading up to the murder, which corroborated the discovery of a knife tip at the crime scene. This testimony led to Robert's arrest for Lulu's murder.

• Why was Robert Graham ultimately never convicted of Lulu's murder?

  Despite the compelling evidence provided by Shirley's testimony and the discovery of a knife tip at the crime scene, the case against Robert Graham was ultimately dismissed due to the lack of corroborating evidence. Prosecutors deemed the case too weak to proceed with a trial.

• What is Detective Jacobson's current approach to solving Lulu's case?

  Detective Jacobson, who took over the case in 2016, is actively pursuing leads and seeking public assistance in solving this cold case. He is particularly interested in finding Lulu's friend Shirley, who may hold the key to finally bringing closure to this tragic case.

• What is the significance of the DNA evidence found in Lulu's case?

  The DNA evidence found in Lulu's case was surprising because it came back female, and it is still unclear who that female profile belongs to. Detective Jacobson believes it may be Lulu's, but he cannot say for certain. The DNA evidence adds another layer of complexity to the case and raises questions about the involvement of other individuals.

• What is the current status of Robert Graham?

  Robert Graham died in 2021 while serving a life sentence for the murder of Toshana Jackson. Despite his death, Detective Jacobson continues to pursue him as a suspect in Lulu's murder.

• How can the public help solve Lulu's case?

  Detective Jacobson is urging anyone with information about Lulu's murder, including family members, friends, or anyone who knew her, to contact the Hartford Police Department. He is also hoping to speak with Shirley, who may hold the key to finally bringing closure to this case.

• What is the significance of the unsolved murders of black women in Hartford during the 1980s and 1990s?

  The unsolved murders of black women in Hartford during the 1980s and 1990s highlight the systemic issues of racism and marginalization that continue to plague communities of color. These cases often go unsolved, leaving families and communities without justice and closure.

• What is the message of this episode of The Deck?

  This episode of The Deck highlights the importance of seeking justice for victims of crime, even in cases that have gone unsolved for decades. It also emphasizes the need for public assistance in solving cold cases and the impact of these cases on the victims' families and communities.

Show Notes