On The Case With Paula Zahn Season 25 Episode 3 Graduation to Murder

As a veteran journalist, Paula Zahn has covered some of the most high profile criminal cases in recent history. Her show, On The Case, takes viewers on a deep dive into the most intriguing and perplexing true crime mysteries. In the latest installment of the show's 25th season, Paula guides us through the episode "Graduation to Murder".

The episode centers around the story of 18-year-old Michelle Martinko, a high school senior with a promising future ahead of her. She was an accomplished singer and a straight-A student with a full scholarship to college. On a cold December night in 1979, Michelle's parents became worried when she didn't come home from a school choir banquet. They reported her missing to the police, and the search for the missing girl began.

The next morning, Michelle's body was discovered in her family's car at a shopping mall parking lot. She had been brutally attacked and stabbed to death. The shocking murder stunned the small town of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and left investigators scrambling for clues.

In "Graduation to Murder", Paula Zahn walks us through the many perplexing twists and turns of the investigation. We meet the lead detectives tasked with solving the case, and hear from Michelle's family and friends about the truly special person she was. The episode is filled with interviews from those involved in the case, including retired detective Ronald L. Midkiff and Cedar Rapids Police Chief Wayne Jerman, who describe the intense investigation and the challenges they faced in trying to catch the killer.

The case itself remained cold for 40 years, but the episode reveals the moment when investigators managed to finally develop a strong lead in the "DNA age". The case takes an unexpected turn when advancements in forensic evidence analysis bring new hope of a resolution. The episode delves into the intricate details of the investigation and the technological advancements that eventually brought the killer to justice.

In 2020, DNA taken from the crime scene and identified in the 1980s helped Cedar Rapids Police identify Jerry Burns as the suspect, who was arrested and charged with murder. Burns is accused of killing Martinko, who was found dead in her family's car in Cedar Rapids in 1979. Burns pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder in February 2021.

Overall, "Graduation to Murder" is a gripping, emotional episode that highlights the tireless work of investigators and the power of forensic evidence in bringing criminals to justice. Paula Zahn masterfully guides the viewer through the intricacies of the investigation, leaving us with a better understanding of the pain and suffering experienced by the victim's family and community.