Cold Case Files Season 1 Episode 16 Killer in the County

In this episode of Cold Case Files, the investigative team dives into a terrifying case that has remained unsolved for nearly a decade. The episode, entitled "Killer in the County," details the events surrounding the disappearance and murder of Ohio mother of two, Valerie McDonald.

Valerie McDonald disappeared in April of 1989, leaving behind her two young children and her husband, Carl. Her husband reported her missing to the police, stating that she had gone out to run some errands and had never returned home. The police initially conducted a search but were unable to find any leads.

Over the years, the case remained cold until 1995, when a hiker discovered human remains in a wooded area outside of town. After a thorough investigation, the remains were identified as those of Valerie McDonald, and it was determined that she had been strangled to death.

The police immediately reopened the case and began a more extensive investigation, but they were met with a significant roadblock. There were no apparent leads or motives for her murder, and no DNA evidence that could be used to identify her killer.

Despite the lack of evidence, the police continued to investigate, and they eventually identified a suspect - a man by the name of Todd Matthew Combs. Combs had been questioned by the police in 1989, shortly after Valerie's disappearance, but he had never been charged with a crime.

Upon further investigation, the police discovered that Combs had been in the area at the time of Valerie's disappearance and that he had a history of violent behavior. He had been convicted of assaulting a woman just two years prior to Valerie's disappearance, and his ex-girlfriend had also accused him of rape.

With this information, the police were able to build a strong case against Combs. They brought him in for questioning, but he vehemently denied having anything to do with Valerie's murder.

Despite his denial, the police were able to obtain a confession from Combs. He admitted to killing Valerie and discarding her body in the woods. He stated that he had been driving around looking for someone to kidnap, and when he saw Valerie, he targeted her. He followed her to a secluded area, where he strangled her to death.

The investigators were able to find evidence that corroborated Combs' confession, and he was ultimately convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison.

The "Killer in the County" episode of Cold Case Files is a gripping and emotional look at the lengths that law enforcement will go to ensure that justice is served. Despite the many roadblocks that they encountered during the investigation, they never gave up on solving the case and bringing Valerie's killer to justice. The episode highlights the importance of persistence, determination, and the tireless work of law enforcement officials who are dedicated to solving cold cases and giving closure to families who have been left without answers for many years.