Ep 1. Love Triangle/2nd Story Rapist

The first episode of season 4 of Cold Case Files, titled "Love Triangle/2nd Story Rapist," delves into two separate cold cases that share similar themes of jealousy and sexual assault.

The first case involves the murder of Carolyn Gregory, a college student who was found strangled in her apartment in St. Louis in 1986. The investigation stalled for years until a break in 1994, when a woman named Michelle Michaud came forward with information implicating her ex-boyfriend, Ricky Lee Johnson, in the murder. Johnson was subsequently arrested, but he denied any involvement in Gregory's death and the case went cold once again.

Years later, in 2004, the case was reopened and new evidence emerged that suggested Johnson had indeed killed Gregory in a fit of jealousy over her relationship with another man. The episode follows the detectives and prosecutors who worked tirelessly to bring Gregory's killer to justice, including interviews with witnesses, experts, and members of the Gregory family.

The second case centers around a series of sexual assaults that took place in Dayton, Ohio in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The perpetrator, known as the "2nd Story Rapist," would enter women's apartments through second-story windows and assault them at knifepoint. Despite a massive manhunt and the efforts of numerous law enforcement agencies, the rapist remained at large for years, terrorizing the community.

The episode explores the investigation into the case, including interviews with the survivors of the assaults, who recount their traumatic experiences and the lasting impact it had on their lives. The detectives and forensic experts who worked on the case also provide insight into the methods they used to try and catch the elusive rapist, including the use of composite sketches and behavioral profiling.

Ultimately, both cases were solved, albeit many years after the crimes had taken place. The episode highlights the tireless efforts of law enforcement officials who never give up on bringing criminals to justice, no matter how difficult the task may be. It also serves as a testament to the resilience of survivors who refuse to let their experiences define them and who work to heal and move forward in the face of immense adversity.