Ep 25. William Peter New; Andrea Boyett

In season 5 episode 25 of Cold Case Files, viewers are taken on a journey through two separate cases that were eventually solved, although decades had passed since the crimes were committed. The first case concerns William Peter New, who was convicted of killing two women in 1983. His wife initially drew suspicion to him when she reported finding two bodies in the Willow Slough drainage ditch. However, while New seemed like a viable suspect, there wasn't enough evidence to convict him at the time.

Despite the lack of evidence, prosecutors continued to pursue the case against New throughout the years. Eventually, advances in forensic science allowed for DNA testing of evidence from the crime scene. This testing gave prosecutors the proof they needed to convict New, and in 2002 he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Cold Case Files takes viewers through the evidence that was presented at trial, including interviews with witnesses and technical experts, as well as the reactions of the families of New's victims.

The second case that is explored in this episode involves the murder of Andrea Boyett, who disappeared in 1994. Despite a thorough investigation, no leads were found until a group of hikers discovered her body in a remote area nine months later. Boyett had been beaten, raped, and strangled. Her case was classified as a cold case until 2002, when DNA testing on the sperm found on her body led investigators to a man named Kenneth Leuluaialii.

Leuluaialii had a prior criminal record and was living in the area at the time of Boyett's murder. However, he denied any involvement in the crime and could not be linked to the scene through forensic evidence. It wasn't until investigators looked into his past that they found a key piece of evidence: a similar crime was committed in Hawaii, where Leuluaialii had been living prior to the Boyett murder. In that case, a woman had been beaten, raped, and strangled with a pair of pantyhose – the same method used to kill Boyett. Cold Case Files takes viewers through the process of connecting the dots between the two crimes and ultimately securing a conviction against Leuluaialii.

The episode offers a fascinating look into the world of forensic science and how it has evolved over the years. It also highlights the importance of persistence in investigations and the value of keeping cold cases on the books for extended periods of time. Viewers will be gripped by the emotional stories of both New's victims and Boyett's family, and will come away with a newfound appreciation for the tireless work of law enforcement and prosecutors. Cold Case Files is a must-watch show for anyone who has ever been intrigued by true crime stories and investigations, and season 5 episode 25 – William Peter New; Andrea Boyett – is no exception.