Anatomy of a Cold Case

Scientist and entrepreneur, Colleen Fitzpatrick co-founded the DNA Doe Project and oversees IdentiFinders, helping law enforcement identify suspects in cold cases. Lots of behind the scenes stuff in this episode. Have a listen!

In the summer of 1982, the bodies of five women were found floating dead in and along the banks of the Green River, 20 miles southeast of Seattle. 

Over the following two years, upwards of forty, or more, women turned up dead or missing, all victims of a shadowy sex slayer known only as the Green River Killer.

Authorities formed a massive task force of more than fifty to catch the killer. Unfortunately, the trail soon went cold. The task force was wound down, eventually to a single detective — Tom Jensen. 

Over the next two decades, Jensen soldiered on in the investigation, until 2001 when DNA evidence finally identified the killer, leading to the arrest of Gary Ridgway.

In this episode, Detective Jensen tells us how it all went down. Several Green River victims' remains are still unidentified. Tom Jensen and the King County Sheriff’s office need the public’s help in identifying these victims.

Dr. Kathy Taylor is Washington State's sole Forensic Anthropologist. Taylor, more affectionately known in law enforcement circles as KT, wears many hats, including, as noted by her employer, King County; Identifying missing and unidentified persons. Biological profiling, DNA sampling, works with law enforcement and identifies bones, performs dental and body X-ray comparisons, liaison with missing person's families, testifies on court cases, works on the cold cases team, provides specialized training to King County law enforcement, search and rescue, cadaver dog handlers, crime scene responders, and teaches a buried body school twice a year. 

Dick Kraske was the original overseer of two of the largest and most infamous serial killer investigations in history: In 1974, Lt. Kraske organized the 'Ted' investigation when two women disappeared from Lake Sammamish State Park, 20 minutes east of Seattle. Witnesses saw one of the women leave the park with a man, calling himself 'Ted', with his arm in a sling.  A year later Ted Bundy was arrested in Salt Lake City, Utah. In 1982, now Major Kraske experienced deja vu as five Seattle area prostitutes were found dead in and around the Green River. 

Kraske reflects on those trying days and wonders on the still undiscovered and unidentified victims of Ted Bundy and Gary Ridgeway, the Green River Killer.

In 1980, a father and son panning for gold in southwest Washington State  came across a set of human remains at Fly Creek, northeast of Vancouver, WA. At the time, the medical examiner determined the bones came from a female. For almost forty years the remains, known only as Fly Creek Jane Doe, sat in a Clark County evidence locker for almost 40 years until a detective from the Clark County Sheriff's Office (WA.) had an epiphany. 

In 2019, through DNA results and genealogical research, Detective, Lindsey Schultz helped Fly Creek Jane Doe reclaim her identity. 

Sandra ("Sandy") Morden could have been anyone's daughter, sister, or friend. Last seen in the late spring of 1977, sometime between then and 1980, Sandy Morden was killed. 

How and by whom?

Did you know Sandy or have information about her? The Clark County Sheriff's Department needs your help in finding answers and justice for Sandy.   Email the Clark County Sheriff's Office: [email protected] , or call toll-free: 877.274.6311

https://www.oregonlive.com/pacific-northwest-news/2019/10/fly-creek-jane-doe-identified-after-40-years-opening-up-potential-new-clues-that-could-lead-to-teen-girls-murderer.html

Cold Case Investigator (Lindsey) and Citizen Sleuth (Mike) team up. How did we get together? Listen and follow our journey.  In this episode we're joined by our crony and Mike's investigative colleague, New York Times best selling author, Stephen Michaud. 

Abhorrent crime expert and Ted Bundy inquisitor extraordinaire, Michaud recounts sitting across a small table from the notorious serial killer and a new book in the works about Ted Bundy cold case investigations. 

This is Anatomy of a Cold Case