Cold Case Files Classic Season 2 Episode 20 Soft Kill/Unsolved
- July 28, 2003
In Cold Case Files Classic season 2 episode 20, titled "Soft Kill/Unsolved," viewers are taken on a journey back to the mid-1980s. In this episode, two cases are explored—one in which a woman was brutally murdered, and another in which a college student was found dead in a creek.
The first case, known as the "Soft Kill" case, involves the murder of a 35-year-old woman named Barbara. On June 17, 1985, her body was found in a field in San Jacinto, California. She had been beaten, strangled, and sexually assaulted. Despite an extensive investigation, the case went cold for several years. However, in 1992, a man named Roy Norris was arrested for a series of murders committed with his accomplice Lawrence Bittaker. During questioning, Norris confessed to killing Barbara, and he was eventually convicted and sentenced to death.
The second case, known as the "Unsolved" case, centers around the death of a 19-year-old college student named Cindy. On May 28, 1984, her body was found in a creek in Toledo, Ohio. She had been strangled and stabbed multiple times. Despite an initial investigation, the case remained unsolved for over 20 years. However, in 2007, new DNA evidence was discovered, leading to the arrest and conviction of a man named Frederick Michael Swango.
Throughout the episode, viewers are given a detailed look at the investigations surrounding both cases. Interviews with family members, law enforcement officials, and experts in forensic science shed light on the complexities of solving cold cases and the toll that these cases can take on the loved ones left behind.
The episode also highlights the importance of advancements in forensic technology in solving cold cases. Through DNA analysis and other forensic techniques, investigators were able to identify and convict the perpetrators in both cases.
Overall, "Soft Kill/Unsolved" is a gripping episode that explores the intricacies of cold case investigations and the role that technology and forensic science play in solving these cases. It serves as a reminder of the impact that these cases can have on individuals, families, and communities, and the importance of never giving up on finding justice for victims and their loved ones.