Ep 5. Double Initial Murder

Dark Minds is a true-crime documentary series that explores some of the most baffling murder cases in the US. In this episode, titled Double Initial Murder, the show delves into the case of the Alphabet Murders, one of the most notorious unsolved cases in American history.

The Alphabet Murders took place in the early 1970s in Rochester, New York. Three young girls - Carmen Colon, Wanda Walkowicz, and Michelle Maenza - were all found dead in the span of a few months. What made the case unique was that all three victims had double initials in their names, leading investigators to believe that they were dealing with a serial killer who had an fixation on initials.

The episode begins with a recap of the murders, including interviews with family members of the victims and news footage from the time. We learn that the police had very little to go on in terms of suspects or leads, and the case went cold for many years.

But in the early 1990s, a man named Joseph Naso was arrested for a string of murders in California. Naso was a photographer who preyed on young women, and he had been active for decades before finally being caught. When police searched his home, they found a handwritten list of girls' names that included those of the Alphabet Murders victims. This led some to believe that Naso might have been responsible for the killings.

The rest of the episode focuses on the investigation into Naso and his possible involvement in the Alphabet Murders. We hear from law enforcement officials and criminal profilers who analyze Naso's behavior and compare it to the evidence from the Rochester case. We also hear from family members of the victims, who express their frustration and anger that the case has remained unsolved for so long.

As the episode progresses, it becomes clear that there is no concrete evidence linking Naso to the murders. The double initials in the victims' names may have been a coincidence, and there are significant differences between the way Naso operated and the way the Alphabet Killer did. Nevertheless, the investigation into Naso's potential involvement is fascinating to watch, and it raises questions about how law enforcement can use technology and behavioral analysis to solve cold cases.

In the end, the Double Initial Murder episode of Dark Minds leaves us with more questions than answers. While the idea of Joseph Naso as the Alphabet Killer is intriguing, there simply isn't enough evidence to conclusively link him to the crimes. Nevertheless, the episode provides a fascinating look at the process of investigating a decades-old murder case, and it highlights the importance of perseverance and innovation in solving such cases.