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Defrosting Cold Cases

Research website by Alice de Sturler

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You are here: Home / 2020 / Archives for July 2020

Archives for July 2020

DNA profile breach

July 31, 2020 By Alice

The Ethics of Forensic Genealogy by AdS

From TechCrunch: “GEDmatch, the DNA analysis site that police used to catch the so-called Golden State Killer, was pulled briefly offline on Sunday while its parent company investigated how its users’ DNA profile data apparently became available to law enforcement searches. The company confirmed Wednesday that the permissions change was caused by a breach.” GEDmatch […]

Filed Under: Forensics Tagged With: Forensic Genealogy

Update Alexander Christopher Ewing

July 29, 2020 By Alice

Alexander Christopher Ewing

On July 28, 2020 18th Judicial District Judge Michelle Amico ruled that there is enough evidence to proceed with the trial against Alexander Christopher Ewing. He is held without bond. His next court date for the Aurora charges in the Bennett Family murders is scheduled for Aug. 27, 2020. There is no news yet about […]

Filed Under: Cold Case News Tagged With: Alexander Christopher Ewing, Bennett Family, Colorado, Patricia Louise Smith

Detecting DNA

July 15, 2020 By Alice

DNA double helix

In the post I wrote about Gina Renee Hall, I mentioned that her sister Diane “was introduced to Dr. Arpad Vass, a forensic anthropologist who had invented an instrument to detect DNA buried beneath the surface. Since then, Gina’s remains have been discovered across eight locations throughout the New River Valley using that device.” Vass’ website states that […]

Filed Under: Forensics Tagged With: DNA, Forensics, profiling

A Maine Murder by Leola McBreairty Cochran

July 14, 2020 By Alice

Michael Cochran

The book ‘A Maine Murder’ by Leola “Lee” McBreairty Cochran is dedicated to Michael Craig Cochran (Oct 4, 1956 – Feb 18, 1981), Lee’s beloved son. The book is a tremendous case encyclopedia detailing every step that Lee had to endure to receive a part of the truth and some justice for her son. The […]

Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: arson, Book Reviews, gunshot, Leola McBreairty Cochran, Maine, Michael Craig Cochran

Gina Renee Hall partial remains found

July 13, 2020 By Alice

Gina Renee Hall/Radford Police Department

Gina Renee Hall went missing on June 28, 1980. She was a freshman at Radford University, Radford, Virginia. After a night out in Blacksburg, she left with Stephen Epperly, a former Virginia Tech football player. Epperly was ultimately charged with Hall’s murder and “became the first person in Virginia — and only the fourth in […]

Filed Under: Cold Case News, Forensics Tagged With: Gina Renee Hall, Radford, Virginia

Barbara Ann Blatnik update

July 11, 2020 By Alice

Barbara Ann Blatnik

In the Barbara Ann Blatnik case, I just read that James Zastawnik posted bond. The amount was previously set at $100’000 but Summit County Common Pleas Judge Kelly McLaughlin granted the request from defense council to lower it to $35’000. There are conditions though: Zastawnik must wear an electronic monitoring device and must live with […]

Filed Under: Cold Case News Tagged With: Barbara Ann Blatnik, DNA, Ohio, Strangulation

Missing: Dean Curtis Mortensen  

July 7, 2020 By Alice

University of Alberta St. John's College

Early in the morning of January 23, 1992, Dean Curtis Mortensen disappeared. He had been in a pub called ‘The Ship’ at Lister Hall on campus. Dean was a first year general science student at the University of Alberta St. Joseph’s College (SJC) in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. His case remains unsolved.  Tribute Ever since he […]

Filed Under: Missing Persons Tagged With: Alberta, Canada, Dean Curtis Mortensen, Edmonton, Missing Person

Missing: Jefferie Hill

July 1, 2020 By Alice

Jefferie Hill

Jefferie Hill (2) was last seen on September 28, 1968, in Tokoroa, New Zealand. He was almost three years old when he vanished. Authorities assume that he drowned in the Matarawa Creek that ran behind his home. But, doubt remains. This is the Case of the Month for July 2020. Missing On Saturday, September 28, […]

Filed Under: Case of the Month, Missing Persons Tagged With: Case of the Month, Jefferie Hill, Missing Person, New Zealand, Tokoroa

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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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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
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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