Ep 2. The Boy and the Monster/Secret in the Cellar

The episode, "The Boy and the Monster/Secret in the Cellar," is the second installment of the first season of the true crime documentary series, Cold Case Files. In this particular episode, the show dives deep into the chilling case of Marvin Brandland, a 10-year-old boy who was found murdered in the small town of Larsen, Wisconsin.

Viewers are introduced to the case through the eyes of the investigators who worked tirelessly to bring justice to Marvin's family for over a decade. As the episode unfolds, the audience learns that on June 11, 1955, Marvin disappeared from a local church picnic. The next morning, a search party consisting of over 1,000 people scoured the surrounding countryside for any sign of the missing boy. After five long days of searching, Marvin's body was discovered in a shallow grave less than two miles from the picnic site.

The initial investigation into Marvin's death failed to find any substantial leads or suspects. As a result, the case eventually fell into the category of a cold case with no progression for many years. However, in the early 1990s, new advancements in forensic science led investigators to revisit the case using modern techniques.

The producers of Cold Case Files were granted unprecedented access to the files and records of the case, as well as the people who spent countless hours trying to uncover the truth. The episode does an excellent job of portraying the pain and sadness that the murder of a child causes in a community. The investigators, some who worked the case over 40 years ago, pour their hearts out to viewers on camera as they discuss their personal connections to the case.

The episode also sheds light on the difficulties authorities faced in the mid-twentieth century when it came to solving such cases. With no DNA evidence or sophisticated technology, investigators had to rely solely on physical evidence gathered at the crime scene. As a result, many cases like Marvin's were left unsolved for decades.

However, modern forensic science is brought to bear in a fascinating way near the end of the episode, as investigators were able to extract DNA evidence from Marvin's clothing. Testing revealed that two brothers were the likely perpetrators of Marvin's murder. Viewers are taken on a harrowing journey as the investigators build their case, re-tracing the brothers' steps on the day of the murder and piecing together the evidence.

The second half of the episode focuses on a separate but equally unsettling case out of Georgia. In 1964, the identity of a woman's body that was found dumped in a ravine near her home in Georgia was a mystery. The episode explores the difficulty investigators faced in identifying Jane Doe and the belief that she may have been the victim of a local serial killer.

Eventually, with the help of a retired investigator who worked the case over 20 years ago, forensic experts were able to identify Jane Doe as Mary Shotwell Little, who disappeared shortly before her husband's death. The case becomes even more complicated as rumors of her husband's involvement in her disappearance resurface.

Overall, this episode of Cold Case Files is a gripping and emotional exploration of two cases that would likely have remained cold if not for the dedication of investigators and advancements in technology. Viewers will undoubtedly find themselves engrossed in the story of Marvin Brandland and Mary Shotwell Little as they watch the episodes unfold.