Digest

In 1985, Enrique Elizarbe, an immigrant from Peru, was found murdered in a warehouse in Prince William County, Virginia. His coworker, Roland Wheeler, claimed Elizarbe came to the back door of the plant, already beaten and bleeding from the head. However, blood patterns on the floor and walls of the warehouse indicated that Wheeler was lying and that Elizarbe was actually killed inside the warehouse, then dragged outside. Despite strong suspicions, the case went cold for 15 years. Cold case detectives reopened the case and used advanced forensic techniques to identify the murder weapon, a green crowbar, and found traces of blood on Wheeler's boots. They also discovered a nail embedded in Wheeler's left shoe that matched a footprint found at the crime scene. Wheeler was arrested and eventually confessed to the murder to two inmates. He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. This case highlights the importance of meticulous evidence collection and the power of advanced forensic techniques in solving cold cases.

Outlines

00:00:00

The Murder of Enrique Elizarbe

This Chapter introduces the case of Enrique Elizarbe, an immigrant from Peru who was found murdered in a warehouse in 1985. His coworker, Roland Wheeler, claimed Elizarbe came to the back door of the plant, already beaten and bleeding from the head. However, blood patterns on the floor and walls of the warehouse indicated that Wheeler was lying and that Elizarbe was actually killed inside the warehouse, then dragged outside. Despite strong suspicions, the case went cold for 15 years.

00:09:20

Cold Case Investigation

This Chapter details the reopening of the Elizarbe murder case 15 years later. Cold case detectives used advanced forensic techniques to identify the murder weapon, a green crowbar, and found traces of blood on Wheeler's boots. They also discovered a nail embedded in Wheeler's left shoe that matched a footprint found at the crime scene. Wheeler was arrested and eventually confessed to the murder to two inmates. He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.

Keywords

Q&A

• What happened to Enrique Elizarbe?

  Enrique Elizarbe was murdered in a warehouse in 1985. He was found bleeding heavily from the head and close to death. He died from blunt force trauma to the head.

• Who was Roland Wheeler?

  Roland Wheeler was a coworker of Enrique Elizarbe. He was initially considered a hero for finding Elizarbe and calling for help. However, blood patterns and other evidence indicated that he was the murderer. He was arrested in 2000 and convicted of murder in 2001. He is currently serving a life sentence in prison.

• How was the Elizarbe case solved?

  The Elizarbe case was solved using advanced forensic techniques. Cold case detectives were able to identify the murder weapon, a green crowbar, and found traces of blood on Wheeler's boots. They also discovered a nail embedded in Wheeler's left shoe that matched a footprint found at the crime scene. Wheeler was eventually arrested and confessed to the murder to two inmates.

• What is a cold case?

  A cold case is a criminal investigation that has been inactive for a significant period of time. Cold cases are often reopened when new evidence is discovered or when advances in forensic technology make it possible to re-examine old evidence.

• What role did forensic science play in the Elizarbe case?

  Forensic science played a crucial role in identifying the murder weapon, linking Wheeler to the crime scene, and ultimately securing his conviction. Forensic scientists analyzed the paint chip found in Elizarbe's skull, the blood traces on Wheeler's boots, and the footprints found at the crime scene.

Show Notes