Digest

This episode of Cold Case Files delves into the chilling story of a serial killer who terrorized the Twin Cities in the early 1980s. The episode begins with the brutal attack on Karen Potack on New Year's Eve in 1980, who survived but suffered cognitive impairment and lost all memory of the attack. A year later, a mysterious caller with a distinctive weepy voice contacts the police, claiming responsibility for the murder of Kimberly Compton. The caller's description of the weapon, an ice pick, matches the evidence found at the scene. Investigators use clues from Kimberly's last meal to retrace her steps and piece together the events leading up to her murder. The weepy voice killer makes another call to the police, confessing to Kimberly's murder and expressing remorse. The police release a portion of the tape to the public, hoping someone will recognize the voice. The episode then introduces Barbara Simons, the third victim of the weepy voice killer. Her body was found in Minneapolis, just across the river from St. Paul. The killer calls the police again, confessing to Barbara's murder and revealing details about the crime. The police are able to confirm that all three calls were made by the same person. Sergeant Dodd Brown, the lead investigator on Barbara's case, begins by investigating her last evening, hoping to find clues about how she met her killer. The investigation leads to Paul Stefani, a 37-year-old janitor with a history of psychiatric problems. The police believe there is a connection between Stefani's past and Karen Potack's attack. The police place Stefani under surveillance, but he manages to evade them. He then attacks a sex worker, Denise Williams, with a screwdriver, but she manages to escape and alert authorities. Stefani calls the police again, claiming to be injured. Paramedics respond to his apartment, where he is found with injuries consistent with the attack on Denise Williams. The police connect Stefani to the attack on Denise Williams and arrest him. Denise identifies him as her attacker, and Stefani is charged with attempted murder. The episode focuses on the trial of Paul Stefani, where the prosecution must convince the jury that he is the weepy voice killer. While in prison, Stefani confesses to the murders of Karen Potack and Kimberly Compton, providing details about the crimes. Stefani's confession helps to close two cold cases that might have otherwise remained unsolved. Stefani also confesses to the drowning of Kathy Greening, a case that had not been previously connected to the weepy voice killer. The episode concludes with the families of the victims finding some closure after Stefani's confession.

Outlines

00:00:00

The Weepy Voice Killer

This episode of Cold Case Files chronicles the investigation and capture of a serial killer known as the "Weepy Voice Killer" who terrorized the Twin Cities in the early 1980s, culminating in his confession to multiple murders. The episode begins with the brutal attack on Karen Potack on New Year's Eve in 1980, who survived but suffered cognitive impairment and lost all memory of the attack. A year later, a mysterious caller with a distinctive weepy voice contacts the police, claiming responsibility for the murder of Kimberly Compton. The caller's description of the weapon, an ice pick, matches the evidence found at the scene. Investigators use clues from Kimberly's last meal to retrace her steps and piece together the events leading up to her murder. The weepy voice killer makes another call to the police, confessing to Kimberly's murder and expressing remorse. The police release a portion of the tape to the public, hoping someone will recognize the voice.

00:07:13

The Investigation and Arrest

The episode then introduces Barbara Simons, the third victim of the weepy voice killer. Her body was found in Minneapolis, just across the river from St. Paul. The killer calls the police again, confessing to Barbara's murder and revealing details about the crime. The police are able to confirm that all three calls were made by the same person. Sergeant Dodd Brown, the lead investigator on Barbara's case, begins by investigating her last evening, hoping to find clues about how she met her killer. The investigation leads to Paul Stefani, a 37-year-old janitor with a history of psychiatric problems. The police believe there is a connection between Stefani's past and Karen Potack's attack. The police place Stefani under surveillance, but he manages to evade them. He then attacks a sex worker, Denise Williams, with a screwdriver, but she manages to escape and alert authorities. Stefani calls the police again, claiming to be injured. Paramedics respond to his apartment, where he is found with injuries consistent with the attack on Denise Williams. The police connect Stefani to the attack on Denise Williams and arrest him. Denise identifies him as her attacker, and Stefani is charged with attempted murder.

00:16:52

The Confession and Closure

The episode focuses on the trial of Paul Stefani, where the prosecution must convince the jury that he is the weepy voice killer. While in prison, Stefani confesses to the murders of Karen Potack and Kimberly Compton, providing details about the crimes. Stefani's confession helps to close two cold cases that might have otherwise remained unsolved. Stefani also confesses to the drowning of Kathy Greening, a case that had not been previously connected to the weepy voice killer. The episode concludes with the families of the victims finding some closure after Stefani's confession.

Keywords

Q&A

• What was the distinctive feature of the weepy voice killer's phone calls?

  The killer's phone calls were characterized by a distinctive weepy voice, which made them easily recognizable to investigators and the public.

• How did investigators use forensic evidence to connect the killer to the victims?

  Investigators used forensic evidence, such as the weapon used in the murders and the victim's last meal, to retrace the victims' steps and connect them to the killer.

• What was the significance of Paul Stefani's confession?

  Stefani's confession helped to close two cold cases that might have otherwise remained unsolved, providing closure for the families of the victims.

• What was the legal determinant of insanity in this case?

  The legal determinant of insanity in this case was the ability of someone to tell right from wrong. This means that a mentally ill person could still be held legally responsible for their actions if they understood that their actions were wrong.

• Why was Paul Stefani never tried for the other murders he confessed to?

  Stefani died of cancer in prison before he could be tried for the other murders he confessed to.

Show Notes