The Indiana State Police have established a specialized forensic investigative genetic genealogy unit to resolve violent crimes that have remained stagnant for decades. This team integrates advanced DNA analysis with traditional detective work to identify suspects by building complex family trees. Supported by a significant increase in state funding, the initiative has already successfully cleared several cases dating back to the 1970s. Governor Mike Braun advocates for the program, noting that enhanced laboratory resources have drastically reduced the DNA evidence backlog. Ultimately, the mission of this unit is to provide final resolution for families while creating a deterrent against future criminal activity.



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The episode details the criminal investigation into Joseph Elledge, a Missouri man convicted of murdering his wife, Mangi Ji. After reporting her missing in 2019, Elledge initially attempted to mislead authorities by portraying her as an unfaithful spouse who might have fled to China. However, secret audio recordings later revealed a history of domestic abuse and Elledge's own violent, controlling nature. The discovery of skeletal remains at a local park, paired with forensic evidence from his hiking boots, eventually linked him directly to the burial site. Although Elledge claimed during his trial that her death was an accidental result of a physical altercation, the jury found him guilty of second-degree murder. He is currently serving a 38-year prison sentence for both the killing and a separate count of child abuse.



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Nearly twenty-five years after the September 11 terrorist attacks, forensic experts have successfully identified a new victim using innovative genetic genealogy. This advanced scientific approach combines modern DNA testing with extensive family lineage research to provide answers where traditional methods previously failed. Although the woman’s family has requested that her identity remain private, she marks the 1,654th person to be formally recognized following the tragedy. Officials from the New York City Medical Examiner’s office view this achievement as a significant technological breakthrough that honors their long-standing promise to the victims' relatives. This same forensic methodology is also proving useful for law enforcement in resolving other unidentified person cases and long-term cold cases. There are still approximately 1,100 victims awaiting identification as the city continues its complex recovery efforts.



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The episode recounts the murder-for-hire plot orchestrated by Stacy Schoeck to kill her fifth husband, Richard, at a secluded park on Valentine’s Day. Though she initially attempted to frame the crime as a random robbery, investigators uncovered a secret affair and a suspicious financial trail leading to her coworkers. Physical evidence, including matching tire tracks from a family vehicle and incriminating cell phone data, linked a personal trainer named Reggie and a medical assistant named Lenitra to the execution of the hit. Schoeck falsely claimed the murder was a desperate act to protect her children from abuse, but authorities determined her true motive was to avoid a custody battle during a potential divorce. Ultimately, the coordinated investigation titled "Operation Tangled Web" resulted in life sentences for all three conspirators. This account serves as a detailed overview of how forensic evidence and digital records dismantled a complex criminal conspiracy.



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This episode features several sensational legal cases involving professionals and high-stakes betrayals. The primary report focuses on Dr. Ira Bernstein, a wealthy podiatrist, and his girlfriend, Kelly Gribbulic, who conspired to hire a car salesman they believed was a hitman to murder Bernstein's wife. Additional segments profile Robin O'Neal, a woman convicted of killing her fiancé and his son following a broken engagement, and Dr. Donald Cline, a fertility specialist accused of using his own genetic material to impregnate numerous patients. Each story highlights the forensic evidence, undercover operations, and intense police interrogations used to secure convictions. Collectively, the source illustrates themes of greed, obsession, and the abuse of professional trust within the American justice system.



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The transcript details the 1986 cold case murder of Lisa Holstead, a young mother found dead in a Green Bay marshland. For decades, investigators primarily suspected her boyfriend, but DNA evidence eventually cleared him, leaving the case unsolved. A breakthrough occurred in 2019 when investigative genetic genealogy and the use of public databases identified Lou Archie Griffin as the true killer. Though Griffin was linked to the crime scene through surreptitiously collected DNA, a controversial plea deal resulted in a reduced ten-year sentence. The narrative highlights both the evolution of forensic technology and the lingering emotional frustration of a family seeking justice.

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This source details a criminal investigation into the brutal murder of Todd Cantlay, a man found deceased in his home following an apparent robbery. Law enforcement officials recount how the victim was beaten with a blunt object and set on fire, leading investigators to pursue brothers Jacob and Ernie Lance as the primary suspects. Through strategic interrogation techniques, detectives exploited the siblings' mutual distrust, eventually securing confessions that implicated both men in the crime. Although the brothers consistently blamed one another for the fatal blow, police successfully recovered the murder weapon and other stolen items from the scene. Ultimately, both individuals pleaded guilty to manslaughter, burglary, and arson, receiving thirty-year sentences for their roles in the killing. The narrative emphasizes the emotional impact on the victim's family and the pursuit of justice for a life violently cut short.

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This episode chronicles the investigation into the 2016 murders of Enrique Rios and Elijah Moore, two teenagers from Yolo County who disappeared weeks apart. While authorities initially dismissed the boys as runaways, their mothers’ persistent advocacy eventually pushed law enforcement to uncover a retaliatory plot sparked by a dispute over a small amount of marijuana. Investigators utilized a significant digital footprint, including recovered Facebook messages and cell phone location data, to link the crimes to David Froste and three accomplices. This electronic evidence was particularly vital because the suspects had attempted to hide their tracks by disabling their phones during the murders. Although a plea deal with one accomplice later revealed the graphic details of the executions, the victims' remains were never located. Ultimately, the case concluded with life sentences for the primary perpetrators, providing a somber resolution for the grieving families.

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The episode details the unsolved 2020 homicide of Aseal Iysheh, a young woman shot at a Knoxville gas station. Despite the presence of multiple witnesses and the recovery of ballistic evidence, the shooter remains at large more than six years later. Investigators believe the victim likely knew her assailant, who was seen speaking with her briefly before opening fire and fleeing on foot. Although Iysheh had reported a domestic assault at the same location weeks earlier, the suspect in that incident was incarcerated at the time of the murder. The narrative highlights the extreme grief of the victim's family, who have significantly increased reward offers in hopes of breaking the silence of potential witnesses. Ultimately, the sources serve as a public plea for information to resolve a cold case that has lacked sufficient video evidence or forensic breakthroughs.

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Florida is launching a comprehensive statewide initiative to resolve approximately 21,000 cold case murders by leveraging advanced genetic genealogy. Attorney General James Uthmeier has established a partnership with the forensic firm Othram to re-examine biological evidence that was previously impossible to analyze. This collaboration aims to generate new investigative leads for decades-old crimes, including unidentified remains and violent homicides dating back to the 1970s. By moving beyond traditional databases, officials hope to provide long-awaited closure and legal accountability for victims' families across the state. The program is expected to start with specific high-profile investigations before eventually expanding to address serial sexual battery cases. This proactive strategy represents a significant shift in how the state utilizes modern science to pursue justice for its most difficult unsolved crimes.

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