Cold Case Files Classic Season 3 Episode 11 The Merry Widow/The Missing Informant

In season 3, episode 11 of Cold Case Files Classic, titled "The Merry Widow/The Missing Informant," the investigative team tackles two distinct cases that have one common thread: the seeking of justice for victims of unsolved murders.

The first case focuses on the murder of a wealthy, elderly woman named Waneta Hoyt who was found dead in her New York home in 1994. Initially, it was assumed that Hoyt died of natural causes, however, the autopsy and investigation revealed that she was suffocated with a pillow. The case went cold for several years until a curious nurse found that all Hoyt's children had died under mysterious circumstances. With the discovery of a similar modus operandi in the past cases, the investigating team delves deeper into the family's dark secrets and what they find is truly horrifying.

The second case revolves around the disappearance of 21-year-old informant, Mark Bakotic, in 1990. Bakotic was working as a confidential informant for the state's attorneys office and was promised witness protection if he testified, but he vanished without a trace just before the trial. The show portrays how the team worked to uncover any connection between Bakotic's informant status and his sudden disappearence. They went through his phone records, his financial records, and even interviewing his friends and family, uncovering considerable detail and taking a step closer in solving the case.

Through a combination of interviews with witnesses and surviving family members, in conjunction with newly discovered or analyzed evidence that comes to light, the Cold Case Files team uncovers hidden and interconnected layers of these complex cases, to bring justice and closure to the victim's families. Can the team piece together the clues that have eluded law enforcement for decades? Only their dedication, persistence and most importantly, the justice-seeking attitude can help solve the cases.

Overall, "The Merry Widow/The Missing Informant" is a gripping and intense hour of true crime programming showcasing the fascinating work of detectives and forensic experts who refused to let unsolved crimes go unaccounted for. It is a highly recommended episode for lovers of true crime and anyone who enjoys a good mystery.