Ep 11. Sex, Lies and Murder

In Cold Case Files season 4 episode 11, titled "Sex, Lies and Murder," the investigation into the 1987 murder of a young woman named Karen Caughlin is reopened. Karen was a 28-year-old mother who vanished after a night out with friends. Her body was discovered a few days later, and the case went cold for over a decade.

The case is reopened in 2001, after a man named Michael Peterson confesses to his therapist that he killed Karen. Peterson had been a suspect in the original investigation, but there was never enough evidence to charge him. Now, with his confession, detectives have a new lead and decide to revisit the case.

The investigation takes detectives back to Karen's hometown of Newton, Massachusetts, where they begin to uncover the details of her life leading up to her murder. Karen had recently separated from her husband and was dating several men, including Peterson. The detectives delve into her relationships, trying to determine who might have had a motive to kill her.

As they investigate further, they begin to uncover a web of lies and deception. Karen's friends and family had all been told different stories about her relationships and where she had been on the night of her murder. One of Karen's ex-boyfriends is revealed to have been physically abusive towards her, and another potential suspect turns out to have a history of violent behavior.

The detectives also discover that Peterson had been lying about his relationship with Karen. He had initially claimed that they had been romantic partners, but it was later revealed that they had only been acquaintances. The investigators wonder why Peterson would confess to a crime he didn't commit and begin to question his mental state.

Throughout the investigation, the detectives must navigate through a complicated case filled with conflicting information and unreliable witnesses. As they continue to piece together the puzzle, they come to the shocking realization that the truth may have been right in front of them all along.

"Sex, Lies and Murder" is a thrilling episode of Cold Case Files that explores the intricacies of a decades-old murder investigation. Through interviews with witnesses, archival footage, and reenactments, viewers are taken on a journey through the complicated investigation and the shocking revelations that arise. The episode is a testament to the dedication and persistence of law enforcement in bringing closure to cases that have long gone cold.