Digest

This episode of Anatomy of Murder explores the 1993 murder of Sumi Chen, a restaurant owner in San Diego, California. Sumi was found shot in her car in the parking garage of her boyfriend's apartment building. The initial investigation focused on her boyfriend, Donald, due to inconsistencies in his story and the discovery of a loaded gun in his apartment. However, no evidence directly linked him to the crime. The case went cold for 22 years until a letter from James Blackman, an inmate at a mental health facility, confessed to the murder. Blackman's confession was corroborated by his arrest record, which showed he was in possession of a stolen gun matching the description of the murder weapon and the type of ammunition used. Despite the lack of the actual murder weapon, Blackman pleaded guilty to the murder in 2016, bringing closure to the case and relieving the suspicion that had plagued Donald for years. The episode highlights the importance of thorough investigation, the challenges of cold cases, and the impact of unsolved crimes on the lives of those involved.

Outlines

00:00:00

Introduction

This Chapter introduces the case of Sumi Chen, a restaurant owner in San Diego, who was murdered in her car while waiting for her boyfriend. The episode features Scott Weinberger, an investigative journalist and former deputy sheriff, and Anna Siga-Nicolasi, a former New York City homicide prosecutor and host of the podcast.

00:01:24

The Murder of Sumi Chen

This Chapter details the events of October 27, 1993, when Sumi Chen was found shot in her car in the parking garage of her boyfriend's apartment building. The security guard who discovered her called the police, and paramedics arrived but were unable to save her. Sumi's husband was out of the country at the time of the murder, and her boyfriend, Donald, was the first person to discover her body.

00:19:06

A Confession After 22 Years

This Chapter reveals that in 2012, San Diego police received a letter from James Blackman, an inmate at a mental health facility, confessing to the murder of Sumi Chen. Blackman's confession was initially met with skepticism due to his history of criminal activity and his location in a mental health facility. However, he persisted in his claims, sending multiple letters to different law enforcement agencies.

00:21:17

Investigating Blackman's Confession

This Chapter describes the investigation into Blackman's confession. Police discovered that he was in San Diego around the time of Sumi's murder and matched the description of a man seen lurking in the parking garage. They interviewed Blackman, who provided detailed information about the crime, including the type of ammunition used. This information, along with his arrest record for possession of a stolen gun matching the description of the murder weapon, led investigators to believe his confession was credible.

00:27:21

Finding the Murder Weapon

This Chapter focuses on the search for the murder weapon. Investigators traced the stolen gun back to a gun dealer who confirmed that it was loaded with MagSafe ammunition, the same type used in Sumi's murder. This discovery, along with the other evidence, solidified the case against Blackman.

Keywords

Q&A

• What was the initial focus of the investigation into Sumi Chen's murder?

  The initial focus of the investigation was on Sumi's boyfriend, Donald, due to inconsistencies in his story and the discovery of a loaded gun in his apartment. However, no evidence directly linked him to the crime.

• How did James Blackman's confession come to light?

  Blackman, an inmate at a mental health facility, sent a letter to the San Diego Police Department confessing to the murder of Sumi Chen. He persisted in his claims, sending multiple letters to different law enforcement agencies.

• What evidence corroborated James Blackman's confession?

  Blackman's confession was corroborated by his arrest record, which showed he was in possession of a stolen gun matching the description of the murder weapon and the type of ammunition used. He also provided detailed information about the crime that only the killer would have known.

• Why was the murder weapon not found?

  The murder weapon had been thrown into the ocean many years ago. However, investigators were able to trace the gun back to a gun dealer who confirmed that it was loaded with MagSafe ammunition, the same type used in Sumi's murder.

• What was the outcome of the case?

  James Blackman pleaded guilty to the murder of Sumi Chen in 2016, bringing closure to the case and relieving the suspicion that had plagued Donald for years.

• What are some of the challenges of investigating cold cases?

  Cold cases often present challenges for investigators due to the passage of time and the potential loss of evidence. Witnesses may have moved or passed away, and physical evidence may have been compromised or destroyed.

• What is the significance of the MagSafe ammunition in this case?

  The MagSafe ammunition was a rare, handmade type of ammunition that was a key piece of evidence in the case. It helped investigators connect James Blackman to the crime and provided a strong link between the stolen gun and the murder weapon.

• What impact did the unsolved murder have on Donald?

  Donald, Sumi's boyfriend, lived under a cloud of suspicion for 22 years. The episode highlights the unfortunate consequence of unsolved crimes, where uncertainty and suspicions can affect the lives of those involved.

Show Notes