Episode Description: Welcome back to New York’s Dark Side for Part Two of our chilling deep dive into the Double Initial Murders of Rochester, NY. In this episode, Amanda delves into several major suspects tied to the still-unsolved murders of Carmen Colon, Wanda Walkowicz, and Michelle Maenza—three young girls from Rochester, NY, each with matching initials. The discussion includes known serial killers Kenneth Bianchi and Joseph Naso, as well as a shocking family connection to Carmen’s case. She also shares profiling insights and modern claims linked to the mystery.

🧠 What You’ll Hear in This Episode:

• Early Suspect Leads:

• Witness composite sketches and multiple car sightings linked to Michelle Maenza's abduction.

• A promising lead involving a man with a light-colored car and buckled boots—details that echoed across cases.

• The Case of Dennis Termini:

• A city firefighter and serial rapist, Termini was suspected after a terrifying New Year’s Day incident in 1974.

• He died by suicide before he could be fully questioned.

• In 2007, DNA testing ruled him out as Wanda’s killer; DNA from Carmen and Michelle’s cases was no longer available.

• The Theodore Given Jr. Incident:

• In August 1974, two girls were abducted and assaulted in Lyons Park. Witness tips led to Given, who had ties to suspicious locations near the victims’ homes.

• Although charged and convicted, his confession was controversial and surrounded by claims of police brutality.

• He resembled the suspect sketch from Michelle Maenza’s case and was living near key crime scene locations at the time.

• The 1976 Murder of Michelle “Shelley” McMurray:

• Another young girl with double initials was murdered—this time abducted from her home.

• Although initially not linked to the previous murders, her killer, James Pressler, was finally identified through DNA in 2007.

• This case, however, remains separate from the original double initial cases.

⚖️ Key Takeaways:

• Several compelling suspects emerged, but none were definitively linked to the original three murders.

• Theories involving symbolism and psychological profiling offered chilling possibilities.

1. Kenneth Bianchi (The Hillside Strangler)

• Born: May 22, 1951

• Lived in Rochester: 1971–1973 (Dutch Town & Gates suburbs)

• Known for: 12 murders (1977–1979), including 10 with cousin Angelo Buono in Los Angeles, and 2 solo in Washington

• Connections to Rochester:

• Applied to Monroe County Sheriff's Office twice

• Worked as a security guard and ambulance driver locally

• First mentioned as a suspect in the Double Initial case in 1979

• Cleared from: Wanda Walkowicz’s murder via DNA

• Not ruled out: Carmen Colon’s case (drove a similar car to the one seen at the crime scene)

• Current status: Serving two life sentences in Walla Walla, Washington

2. Joseph Naso

• Born: January 7, 1934, in New York State

• Moved to California: 1969

• Criminal History:

• Multiple sexual assault charges in Monroe County (1958, 1960)

• Later charged with murder in California

• Victims: Included women with double initials

• Evidence Found: Over 10,000 items, bondage photos, and a handwritten list possibly tied to victims

• Ties to Rochester: Visited family often despite moving

• Cleared from Rochester cases: DNA did not match samples from Rochester murders

• Considered a possible copycat

3. Miguel Colon

• Relation: Uncle and stepfather to Carmen Colon

• Incident: In 1991, shot Carmen’s mother and uncle in a domestic dispute before killing himself

• Remains a suspect in Carmen’s case by some investigators

• Family maintains his innocence

Episode Transcript⁠⁠

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The intro theme for this podcast is a section of Nightmare Machine by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), CC BY 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons