A fitness influencer named Briana Ortega has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Riverside County and former deputy Eric Piscatella, alleging a harrowing campaign of stalking and harassment. According to the legal complaint, Piscatella exploited his official law enforcement authority and accessed restricted databases to obtain Ortega's private contact information and home address. The former deputy reportedly used fabricated emergency calls as a pretext to enter her residence while armed and in uniform to make unwanted romantic advances. Although Piscatella pleaded guilty to criminal charges regarding the misuse of police computers, the civil suit further accuses the county of failing to supervise its staff or implement adequate privacy protections. Legal experts suggest the case highlights a dangerous breach of public trust and potential systemic failures within the sheriff's department. Overall, the litigation seeks to hold the municipality accountable for the actions of its officers while addressing the psychological distress and privacy violations suffered by the victim.






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The episode chronicles the unresolved 1992 homicide of 21-year-old college student Tammy Zywicki, who vanished after her vehicle stalled on an Illinois interstate. Her body was later discovered in Missouri, revealing she had been sexually assaulted and fatally stabbed before being abandoned on the roadside. Decades later, the FBI and state police continue to investigate the case, focusing on a suspicious tractor-trailer seen near her car and modern DNA advancements. The episode highlights Tammy’s vibrant life as a student and athlete while detailing specific missing personal items the killer may have kept as trophies. Her surviving family remains committed to seeking justice, supported by a significant monetary reward for information leading to an arrest. This retrospective serves to keep the cold case in the public eye while honoring the legacy of a young woman whose life was tragically cut short.

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In Robinson, Texas, authorities discovered a badly burned female body after responding to a brush fire during a heavy thunderstorm. The primary breakthrough in the case came from a white poodle named Titan found at the scene, whose microchip identified the victim as Mandy Reynolds. Investigations revealed that the victim’s cousin, Derek Dagnold, had murdered her, stolen her vehicle, and attempted to hide his tracks by posing as her during a suspicious phone call with detectives. Despite his elaborate claims regarding cartel involvement and a staged execution, surveillance footage and physical evidence proved he purchased the tools used to dispose of the body. Dagnold was eventually apprehended following a high-speed chase in Kansas and was sentenced to life in prison for the brutal homicide. This source details how a loyal pet ultimately provided the essential link to secure justice for its deceased owner.

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After more than three decades, investigators have finally identified the last unknown victim of serial killer Keith Hunter Jesperson. Formerly known only as "Claudia," the deceased woman was confirmed to be Lydia Jane Wade McWhorter, a 26-year-old who went missing from Texas in the early 1990s. This breakthrough was made possible through advanced DNA testing and genetic genealogy, which successfully matched a sample from McWhorter's sister to the remains found along a California highway in 1992. Jesperson, famously dubbed the "Happy Face Killer," is currently serving multiple life sentences for the murders of eight women. The identification of McWhorter concludes the investigation into his unidentified victims, providing long-awaited closure for her family and the authorities.

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This episode details the successful resolution of a cold case involving the 1998 murder of Linda Rutledge in Lexington, Kentucky. After nearly three decades of investigation, authorities utilized advanced ballistic testing and DNA analysis to link the crime to a deceased suspect named Robert Eugene Brashers. The evidence connects Rutledge's death to the notorious "Yogurt Shop Murders" that occurred in Austin, Texas, in 1991. Although the perpetrator died in 1999, the collaborative efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies finally provided definitive answers for the victim's family. The report emphasizes the critical role of modern technology in closing long-dormant homicide investigations.

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The episode details the legal resolution of a 1989 cold case in Grand Traverse County through an interview with journalist Mardi Link. It explains how mitochondrial DNA, a maternal genetic marker, was used decades later to link Steven Gary Koon to the murder of Linda Meteer. Although Koon was a long-time person of interest, investigators originally lacked the forensic capabilities to prove she had been inside his vehicle. The transcript describes the prosecution's successful strategy of using a discovered hair to place the victim at the scene, leading to Koon's conviction in 2026. Furthermore, the text addresses the defense's attempt to deflect blame toward the victim’s former fiancé and highlights the growing role of advanced genetic science in closing historical criminal investigations. This overview emphasizes how technological progress allows law enforcement to provide justice for victims in cases that have remained stagnant for over thirty years.

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This episode explores the 1972 unsolved death of sixteen-year-old Jeannette DePalma, whose remains were discovered in a New Jersey wooded area. The discovery ignited a local Satanic panic, as the girl’s body was found surrounded by occult symbols and makeshift crosses near a site known as the Devil's Teeth. Though investigators looked into several potential suspects, including local drifters and acquaintances, the extreme decomposition of the body prevented medical examiners from determining a specific cause of death. Modern advocates continue to push for DNA testing on the victim's clothing, yet legal hurdles and the passing of original witnesses keep the mystery unresolved. Ultimately, the episode highlights how religious fervor and urban legends have historically overshadowed the search for justice in this cold case.



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This episode features a news report regarding the resolution of a cold case in Arlington, Texas, through the use of modern forensic science. By utilizing advanced DNA technology, investigators were finally able to identify a suspect in a homicide that had remained a mystery for fourteen years. The article is hosted by NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth, a local media outlet that provides coverage on criminal justice and regional safety. This specific piece highlights the growing trend of law enforcement revisiting unsolved crimes with the help of innovative genetic tools. 

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The Western Michigan University Cold Case Program recently assisted the Michigan State Police in resolving the 2003 murder and sexual assault of Jeanette Wilton. By utilizing advanced forensic-grade genome sequencing and grant funding, investigators identified Jason Robert Cabello as the suspect through reanalyzed DNA evidence. Cabello was sentenced in June 2026 to at least twenty-three years in prison after pleading no contest to the charges. This success marks the eighth cold case solved by the university’s program, which allows students to gain hands-on experience while helping authorities deliver long-awaited justice to families. The initiative continues to demonstrate how modern technology and academic partnerships can hold offenders accountable decades after their crimes occurred.

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This episode explores the critical role of digital evidence in the ongoing murder trial of Lindsay Clancy. Much of the discussion focuses on inconsistencies found within her Apple Watch data, specifically a heart rate reading of 57 beats per minute recorded shortly before the children were killed. Legal experts and forensic analysts debate whether this low heart rate suggests a calculated state of mind or if it indicates the device was simply removed. The transcript also highlights police oversight, noting that investigators failed to seize the watch initially, leaving it for the defense attorney to recover later. Furthermore, the source addresses the legal strategy surrounding the case, emphasizing that the jury must determine criminal responsibility rather than guilt, as Clancy has already admitted to the acts. Finally, the coverage examines how postpartum mental health and medical expert testimony will ultimately influence the jury’s difficult verdict.

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