Episode 88 DOE: ID 'Queens Backyard John Doe' George Seitz

In 2019, a woman called into Queens PD with a tip. She recalled that as a child in the late 1970's, she believed that her and her mom had witnessed her mom's then-boyfriend, Martin Motta, clean up, and cover up a murder he had committed in his barber shop, before dismembering his victim's remains to dispose of them. Although the witness couldn't provide exact details and dates, police took her seriously. She told police that some of the remains were likely buried in on the property she lived in as a child. Police wasted no time searching the area, and were able to recover human remains exactly where the tipster told them they would find them. And just as she had indicated, there was evidence that the victim; a man, had been dismembered.

Although police had a murder victim on their hands, they didn't know who he was, so they turned to genealogy to identify the victim. It turned out that he was a WW1 veteran named George Clarence Seitz. The 81 year old had been reported missing after going out for a haircut in 1976 and he never returned. Unfortunately, George Seitz was able to survive a war, but he didn't survive a trip to Martin Motta's barber shop. He was killed for the large amount of cash he carried with him. Martin Motta was tried and convicted for Seitz's murder and sent to prison.

'Queens Backyard John Doe' now has his name back; it's George Seitz, and this is his story.

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Episode 87 Christine Franke Part 2 of 2

This is the conclusion of the Christine Franke case. If you have not listened to Part 1 yet, stop now and go back and listen to that part first.

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Episode 87 Christine Franke Part 1 of 2

In 2001, Orlando bartender and college student Christine Franke was attacked, shot, sexually assaulted and robbed in her own apartment. The evidence showed that she had just walked in the door from work when her assailant struck. DNA was collected from Christine's person. Her romantic partner told police of a stalker, who was tracked down after an extensive investigation. The DNA ruled him out. After 17 years, police finally turned to the burgeoning new technique, forensic genealogy, which led them to focus on a very large family in Georgia. In this early forensic genealogy case, reference samples obtained from family members via a ruse led to the killer, and obtained justice for Christine, but left the killer's family feeling manipulated.

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Episode 86 Doe: ID 'Cheatham Jane Doe' Linda Karnes

In October, 1981, skeletal remains were found by hunters at an old landfill in Cheatham County, Tennessee on Highway 249 in Ashland City. Forensic anthropologists at the University of Tennessee determined the remains belonged to a young, white female, estimated to be between 14 and 17 years old. She carried no ID, and her arms were missing, presumably taken by scavaging animals, so fingerprinting was not an option. But part of her legs were also missing, and showed signs of being removed with a saw. It was clear to authorities that this young girl, who was dubbed 'Cheatham Jane Doe', had been a murder victim and they set out to determine who she was and who was responsible for her death.

Decades later, DNA & genealogy would combine to reveal her identity as Linda Sue Karnes, who had spent time as a teenager in the Montgomery County Girls Home in Clarksville not long before her remains were found. Although authorities now know who she is, it's not clear what led to Linda's murder, or who is responsible. Police are still trying to fill in the blanks and are seeking the public's help. Anyone with pertinent details is encouraged to contact the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND or via email at [email protected]

After more four decades, 'Cheatham County Jane Doe' has her name back, it's Linda Sue Karnes, and this is her story.

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Episode 85 Ellen Mathys and David Schuldes Part 2 of 2

This is part 2 of the Mathys/Schuldes case, if you have not listened to part 1 yet, stop now and go back and listen to part 1 first.

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Episode 85 Ellen Mathys and David Schuldes Part 1 of 2

A stunning double murder shocked quiet, rural Marinette, Wisconsin in 1976. A loving engaged couple went camping in one of the verdant parks in the northern part of the state – and were found dead. David had been shot in the throat; Ellen had been raped and shot to death. The senseless, seemingly random crime double homicide rocked Marinette County, and set determined investigators on a 40 year journey to catch a killer. Despite a good sketch of the suspect, he remained unidentified until forensic genealogy led investigators right to his door – 20 miles from the park where he had slain David and Ellen. Prosecutors put together a case against grandfather Raymand Vannieuwenhoven that was largely based on the DNA – would it be enough for the jury?

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In June, 1979, the body of an unidentified woman was found near Highway 290 and FM 696 in Elgin, Bastrop County, Texas. The condition of her remains made it tough to determine a cause of death, let alone figure out who she was. Police theorized that she was the victim of a hit and run due to a broken pelvis. She was laid to rest in Elgin cemetery. Years later, in an effort ID the unknown Jane Doe, her body was exhumed multiple times for DNA testing. Finally, she was identified via forensic genetic genealogy, as Kathy Ann Smith. To date,not much has been shared publicly about Kathy's background besides the fact she was adopted. While police are still investigating her death and can't confirm whether she was murdered, infamous serial killer Henry Lee Lucas confessed to Kathy's murder before recanting. Police have not ruled Lucas out in Kathy's death.

If you have any information about Kathy's case, please call the Bastrop County Sheriff's Office at 512-549-5100

After more than three decades, this Texas Jane Doe has her name back, it's Kathy Ann Smith, and this is her story.

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Episode 83 Cheryl Thompson

Cheryl Thompson was missing for 15 days in 1978 before her body turned up dumped on a riverbank in Loveland, Ohio. Investigators weren't certain whether she'd been held captive, alive – and they also weren't sure what to make of the story her boyfriend told. It involved car chases, blown tires, shaggy haired strange men – all on the last night Cheryl was seen.

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Episode 82 DOE: ID 'Frog Boy' Winston 'Wint' Maxey III

In July, 1971, some teen boys in Coos Bay, Oregon discovered a decomposed body along Snedden Creek. The body was that of a young male in his teens, but due to the condition of the body, the medical examiner could not determine exactly when the young man had died, or a cause of death, but he deemed it suspicious. Since there was no ID with the body, investigators didn't know who the young man they affectionately called 'Frog Boy' was, and their efforts to find someone missing from the area that matched his description came up empty.

For decades, the identity of Frog Boy remained a mystery until advancements in DNA & genealogy finally provided a name for him; Winston 'Wint' Maxey III, who had left his Idaho home as a teenager, and had never been reported missing. It turned out that his daughter, who was born weeks after Wint went missing and put up for adoption, had been looking for him.

Questions remain to this day. How exactly did Wint die, and was he the victim of foul play?

'Frog Boy' now has his name back; it's Winston 'Wint' Maxey III, and this is his story.

If you have information about Wint, please contact Captain Patterson at (541)-396-7820 or call the Coos County Sheriff's Office at (541) 396-7800.

Visit the Facebook page set up by Wint's Daughter Lori to learn more about the case, or to help Lori find more information on her father.

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Episode 81 Lisa Holstead Part 2 of 2

This is the second part of the Lisa Holstead case. If you have not listened to part 1 yet, stop now and listen to that part first.

To listen to every episode of DNA: ID ad-free and get other benefits, simply visit our channel page on Apple Podcasts to get started with an AbJack Insider subscription. Of course, you can also support DNA: ID with a Patreon subscription.

For all things DNA: ID, visit the show's homepage Visit this link to buy DNA ID Merch Follow DNA: ID on Social Media on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram