Cold Case Files Season 1 Episode 17 Presumed Dead/Tow Truck Killer
- April 23, 1999
In episode 17 of Cold Case Files season 1, titled "Presumed Dead/Tow Truck Killer," viewers are taken on a journey through two different cold cases that have confounded investigators for years.
The first case focuses on the disappearance of 18-year-old Lisa Ziegert, who was last seen working at a gift shop in Agawam, Massachusetts in 1992. After her brutal murder, her body was found in a nearby wooded area. Despite significant efforts by local authorities, no one was ever held accountable for her death.
In the years that followed, dedicated investigators continued to work the case, uncovering new leads and insights into what happened to Lisa. Eventually, with the help of advanced DNA technology, they were able to determine the identity of a possible suspect and make an arrest. This episode explores the harrowing details of the investigation and how, over the course of many years, the persistence of law enforcement led to a breakthrough in the case.
The second case involves the so-called "Tow Truck Killer," who terrorized the city of Wichita, Kansas in the late 1970s and early 1980s. The killer would prey upon people whose cars had broken down, sometimes offering to help them out with his tow truck before ultimately attacking and killing them.
Despite numerous witnesses and leads, investigators were unable to catch the killer and the case went cold. It wasn't until years later, when a new investigator took on the case and followed up on a hunch, that a suspect was finally identified and charged with the crimes.
Throughout the episode, audiences are taken through the complicated investigative processes that were employed in both cases, from the initial collection of evidence to the latest advances in forensic science. The show also highlights the tenacity and persistence of law enforcement officials who worked tirelessly to bring justice to the victims and their families.
Overall, "Presumed Dead/Tow Truck Killer" offers a compelling look at some of the most challenging cold cases in modern history and the complicated processes that are involved in solving them.