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Defrosting Cold Cases

Research website by Alice de Sturler

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You are here: Home / 2016 / Archives for March 2016

Archives for March 2016

R.I.P. Mildred Elizabeth Hilt

March 30, 2016 By Alice

Mildred Elizabeth Hilt / Photography Andy Myers

This morning Mildred, the mother of Teresa “Tess” Sue Hilt, passed away. She was 88 years old. Tess was the only child of Stanley and Mildred Elizabeth Hilt. Stanley Hilt passed away not knowing who murdered his girl. Tess was found murdered on August 4, 1973. She had been beaten, raped, and was strangled to […]

Filed Under: Teresa Sue Hilt Tagged With: DNA, Knife Attack, Mildred Elizabeth Hilt, Missouri, Teresa Sue Hilt

Moira “Holly” Branagan (1962-1979)

March 28, 2016 By Alice

Moira "Holly" Branagan

Moira “Holly” Branagan (1962 – 1979) was murdered 37 years ago today. Holly was found stabbed 18 times in the back with a 10-inch kitchen knife. The autopsy showed she had 15 serious knife wounds, three less serious wounds, and two defensive wounds on her hands. The crime The attack was so violent that the […]

Filed Under: Unsolved Tagged With: DNA, Knife Attack, Moira "Holly" Branagan, Pennsylvania

A retrial for Daniel Dougherty

March 27, 2016 By Alice

Fire AdS

A retrial for Daniel Dougherty starts coming Monday. In 1985, Daniel Dougherty was found guilty of deliberately igniting fires in his home that killed his two sons, Danny(4) and Johnny(3). Police arrested Dougherty 14 years later, when his estranged wife came forward and claimed he confessed. A jury found him guilty on capital murder charges in […]

Filed Under: Forensics, Miscarriages of Justice Tagged With: Daniel Dougherty, Faulty Evidence, Forensic arson detection

El Dorado Jane Doe: help her!

March 15, 2016 By Alice

El Dorado Police/Do you recognize this woman?

There are a few things that can get me mad fast. One is people saying “I cannot think of them as a victim.” I am talking about victims of crime who are not regarded as “completely innocent” by the public. As a result, their cases get less attention as the victims are blamed for their fate. They […]

Filed Under: Help the Cops!, Unidentified Tagged With: DNA, El Dorado Jane Doe, NAMUS, Unidentified, victim blaming

Solving the Unsolved

March 14, 2016 By Alice

Book Cover Solving the Unsolved by the AISOCC

Solving the Unsolved is the title of a new book from the AISOCC. With fellow members of the American Investigative Society Of Cold Cases, I contributed a chapter. I picked the unsolved case of Doni Grindstaff as it is a perfect example how an old cold case can be interpreted in various ways depending on […]

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Tagged With: AISOCC, Doni Grindstaff

Do you know these five women?

March 14, 2016 By Alice

Do you know these 5 women?

Do you know these five women? Because if you do, the authorities can use your help. In my last book review “Unearthing a Serial Killer” we learned that Alex Mengel had photography in his possession from these five women. He also had a Pennsylvania tourism map with marks on it (see below). The authors, David […]

Filed Under: Unidentified, Unsolved Tagged With: Alex Mengel, Unidentified

David Etienne Pimentel

March 9, 2016 By Alice

David Etienne Pimentel (November 5, 1991 - July 28, 2014)

A few weeks ago I received an email from Christina Hughes Babb. She alerted me to the 2014 cold case of David Etienne Pimentel (November 5, 1991 – July 28, 2014) from Dallas, Texas. The case was not very old but police did seem to be stuck. She enclosed the link to a story about […]

Filed Under: Guest Bloggers, Unsolved Tagged With: Christina Hughes Babb, Dallas, David Etienne Pimentel, guest blogger, Texas

The cold case of Jennifer Marie Bastian

March 7, 2016 By Alice

Jennifer Bastian (L) and Michella Welch (R)

The cold case of Jennifer Marie Bastian (April 15, 1973 – August 4, 1986) got a boost in 2013 when Tacoma Police (WA) revealed more information to the public. Despite renewed media attention and various tips, the case is still unsolved. Jennifer was 13 years old when she went missing. According to the papers, Jennifer wanted […]

Filed Under: Unsolved Tagged With: DNA, Jennifer Marie Bastian, Michella Welch, Tacoma, Washington

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Author Notes

On this website, I write about old, unsolved cases. Most are from the pre-DNA era and are in need of renewed media attention. I only do research and leave the active investigation of these cases to the professionals.

My posts are about homicides, missing and unidentified people, wrongful convictions, and forensics as related to these cases.

On book reviews: I only review select works of true crime, crime fiction, and historical fiction/mysteries. The stories have to fit my website's theme and research. It remains my prerogative to not review a book.

My database has over 300 cases listed by the victim’s last name. You will find a brief description there as well. The database will always be free to the public to use. You cannot buy ad space on my website, ever.

All writing suggestions that come in by email are added to my to-do list in the order in which they were received. Please be patient. My to-do list is very long but no case gets dropped and I will get back in touch.

Defrosting Cold Cases is NOT an organization. It is my brainchild.

If you have any questions about my website please check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page, the about page, and the tabs in both menu bars. If you still cannot find the answer there, please contact me.

Thank you,

Alice de Sturler

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If you use my work, please add a link back. Let your readers know where you found your information. I do the same for you. Thank you!

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William Thomas Zeigler

Category: ALL POSTS

On March 31, 2016, an evidentiary hearing was held to request touch DNA testing. On July 18, 2016, Judge Whitehead denied that request.

On November 23, 2016, an appeal was filed with the Florida Supreme Court. On April 21, 2017, the Florida Supreme Court denied the request for touch DNA analysis.

On May 8, 2017 a motion for a rehearing with the US Supreme Court was filed. It was denied November 13, 2017.

In the summer of 2019, the appeal for DNA testing to the Florida Conviction Integrity Unit was denied.

Richard Lapointe

Category: ALL POSTS

In March 2015, the Connecticut State Supreme Court ordered a new trial for Richard lapointe. On Oct 2, 2015, International Wrongful Conviction Day, Richard was set free. The judge ruled that he cannot be retried for the 1987 rape-murder of Mrs. Bernice Martin. Richard Lapointe died on Aug 4, 2020 of Covid19 complications.

In 1987, someone killed Bernice Martin. I hope that she will not become a forgotten file.
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Copyright: Please add a link back if you use my work. Let your readers know where you found your information. I do the same for you. If you need help with this, just contact me. Thank you, Alice de Sturler

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