Ep 8. Cabin in the Woods

In Cold Justice season 4 episode 8, titled "Cabin in the Woods," Kelly Siegler and Johnny Bonds travel to rural Arkansas to investigate the 1995 murder of 21-year-old Melissa Witt. Melissa was visiting her mother for Christmas when she disappeared after stopping at a local convenience store. Her body was found weeks later in a ditch near a wooded area, and her killer has never been caught.

The investigators begin by interviewing Melissa's mother, who is still haunted by her daughter's death. She reveals that Melissa had told her about a man who had been stalking her at her job at a local restaurant. The man, who was later identified as a regular customer named Larry Swearingen, had been making inappropriate comments and sending her flowers. Melissa had even filed a report with the police, but nothing had been done.

Kelly and Johnny also speak with a witness who saw Melissa at the convenience store on the night she disappeared. The witness saw a man matching Larry Swearingen's description talking to Melissa and getting into her car. This information leads the investigators to take a closer look at Swearingen, who was already serving time for another murder.

As they delve deeper into Swearingen's background, they discover a disturbing pattern of behavior. He had a history of stalking and harassing women, and had even been convicted of rape. The investigators also learn that he was in the area at the time of Melissa's murder, and had even been seen near the convenience store that night.

To gather more evidence, Kelly and Johnny decide to search Swearingen's cabin in the woods. They bring in a cadaver dog, who signals near a burn pit outside the cabin. The investigators also discover a box of matches in Swearingen's bedroom that match the ones found near Melissa's body. However, without DNA evidence, they cannot definitively link Swearingen to the crime.

The investigators also speak with Swearingen's ex-girlfriend, who reveals that he had confided in her about Melissa's murder. He claimed that he had approached Melissa at the convenience store to offer her a ride, but that she had refused and got into another car. He then said that he followed her and saw her pull over to the side of the road. He claimed he then saw two other men get out of a car and attack Melissa, and that he was too afraid to intervene.

Kelly and Johnny are skeptical of Swearingen's story, and they believe that he is the one responsible for Melissa's murder. They decide to confront him with their evidence, and he eventually confesses to the crime. He is charged with capital murder and sentenced to death.

"Cabin in the Woods" is a gripping and emotional episode that highlights the tremendous work that Kelly Siegler and Johnny Bonds do to bring justice to victims and their families. Their tireless investigation and dedication to uncovering the truth ultimately results in closure for Melissa Witt's family, and serves as a reminder that justice can be served no matter how much time has passed.