Cold Case Files Classic Season 1 Episode 17 Presumed Dead; The Tow Truck Killer

In this episode of Cold Case Files Classic, viewers are taken on a journey to uncover the truth behind the mysterious disappearance of a woman named Sarah DeLeon. Sarah had been last seen getting into a tow truck in 1992, but after weeks of searching by her family and law enforcement officers, there were no leads as to her whereabouts. For over two decades, her family was left in the dark about what had happened to Sarah, until new technology and investigative techniques were utilized to finally bring closure to the case.

The episode begins with a reenactment of Sarah's last known moments, as she is seen leaving her workplace and getting into a tow truck. This was an odd occurrence, as Sarah had a car of her own and the tow truck driver was not someone she knew. Her family grew concerned when Sarah did not return home that night and they reported her missing. The local police department investigated the case but were never able to find any evidence or leads that would help them locate Sarah or the person responsible for her disappearance.

The investigation into Sarah's case went cold until 1998, when a group of children were playing by a lake and discovered human remains. The medical examiner concluded that the body had been there for several years and had been dismembered. There was no identification on the body, but the police department had a possible match for Sarah DeLeon. They tried to track down her family to obtain DNA samples for testing, but they had moved and the trail went cold again.

It wasn't until 2014 that the case was reopened and detectives were able to utilize new technology to try and solve the case. DNA testing had come a long way since the early '90s, and detectives were able to obtain a sample from the skeletal remains found by the lake. They also had access to cell phone records and other technology that was not available during the original investigation.

With the help of DNA testing and advancements in investigative techniques, the detectives were able to identify the body as that of Sarah DeLeon. The case took a turn when they discovered that the tow truck driver who had picked Sarah up was a man named William Reece, who had been convicted of kidnapping and raping another woman. Reece had never been a suspect in Sarah's case, but detectives were able to link him to the crime through DNA evidence found at the scene where Sarah's remains were discovered.

The episode delves into the investigation of Reece and his possible ties to other unsolved cases in the area. The detectives uncover a frightening pattern of missing women and find evidence that links Reece to at least two other cases similar to Sarah's. The investigation into Reece and his possible connection to other missing women becomes the main focus of the episode, and viewers are taken on a suspenseful journey to uncover the truth.

Overall, The Tow Truck Killer episode of Cold Case Files Classic is a thrilling look into the tenacity and dedication of law enforcement officers and the new technology and techniques used to solve crimes. The episode is a fascinating exploration of the investigation into one of the most notorious serial killers in Texas history.