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Defrosting Cold Cases

Research website by Alice de Sturler

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You are here: Home / Archives for Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids

Life sentence in Michelle Martinko murder

August 7, 2020 By Alice

Michelle Martinko, courtesy Robert J. Riley

Today, we close the case of Michelle Martinko. Jerry Lynn Burns received the mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole. He was ordered to pay victim restitution of $150’000 to the estate of Michelle Marie Martinko or her heirs. The defense is seeking a restitution hearing on a later date. Burns […]

Filed Under: Cold Case News Tagged With: Cedar Rapids, DNA, Iowa, Knife Attack, Michelle Marie Martinko

Is the use of genetic testing constitutional?

June 17, 2020 By Alice

The Ethics of Forensic Genealogy by AdS

Genetic testing is what finally brought the case of Michelle Marie Martinko in court. Jerry Lynn Burns (66) was found guilty of Michelle’s 1979 murder based on genetic testing of DNA. He is awaiting his sentencing hearing. It will be the mandatory life sentence. In the meantime, his attorney, Leon Spies, is working on the […]

Filed Under: Cold Case News, Forensics Tagged With: Cedar Rapids, DNA, Forensic Genealogy, Iowa, Michelle Marie Martinko

Arrest in 1979 murder of Michelle Martinko

December 19, 2018 By Alice

Michelle Martinko, courtesy Robert J. Riley

Michelle Martinko was found dead on Dec. 20, 1979. She was repeatedly stabbed most notably in her face and chest. Police discovered her body in the family Buick in the parking lot of the Westdale Mall, Cedar rapids, Iowa. Police said there was no sign of a sexual assault, but she had wounds that indicated […]

Filed Under: Case of the Month, Unsolved Tagged With: Cedar Rapids, DNA, Iowa, Michelle Martinko

Suspect composite in case of Michelle Martinko

May 17, 2017 By Alice

Michelle Martinko, courtesy Robert J. Riley

The Cedar Rapids Police Department can now show the public the suspect composite in the cold case of Michelle Martinko (18) who was murdered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on Dec. 19, 1979. Michelle Martinko was found dead around 4am on Dec. 20, 1979. She was repeatedly stabbed most notably in her face and chest. Police […]

Filed Under: Cold Case News, Forensics Tagged With: Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Michelle Martinko, phenotyping

Remembering Michelle Martinko

October 29, 2015 By Alice

Michelle Martinko, courtesy Robert J. Riley

Remembering Michelle Martinko who was found murdered around 4am on December 20, 1979 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The police discovered her body in the parking lot of the Westdale Mall. The Kennedy High School senior had been stabbed to death in the family Buick. Michelle Martinko was repeatedly stabbed most notably in her face and […]

Filed Under: Unsolved Tagged With: Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Knife Attack, Michelle Martinko

Help the Cedar Rapids Police

April 10, 2014 By Alice

Michelle Martinko

Help the Cedar Rapids Police to get in touch with an anonymous person who contacted the Linn County Crime Stoppers about Michelle Martinko‘s cold case. The Public Safety Communications Coordinator Greg M. Buelow contacted me with the following message: “The Cedar Rapids Police Department is requesting additional assistance from a Linn County Crime Stoppers tipster who provided investigators […]

Filed Under: Unsolved Tagged With: Case of the Month, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Michelle Martinko

The Grahlman murders

April 1, 2014 By Alice

Grave Jay & Jaymie Grahlman

The Case of the Month for April 2014: the Grahlman murders from April 5, 2003. I read about the Grahlman arson/double homicide case on Jody Ewing’s Iowa Cold Cases. Please read the circumstances of the crime there. No need to repeat Jody here. After I read the overview, many questions popped up in my mind and […]

Filed Under: Case of the Month Tagged With: Arson Detection, Autopsy, Case of the Month, Cedar Rapids, Cruelty, Evidence, Expert Testimony, Forensics, Iowa, Jay and Jaymie Grahlman

Case of the Month: Paula Oberbroeckling

March 1, 2014 By Alice

head shot Paula Oberbroeckling

Case of the Month: Paula Oberbroeckling (Feb 25, 1952 – July 11, 1970). Paula disappeared on July 11, 1970, Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She was 18 years old and dreamed of becoming a model. She had borrowed her roommate’s car to go off on an unspecified errand. Her roommate’s car was found parked in a no parking zone […]

Filed Under: Case of the Month Tagged With: Autopsy, Case of the Month, Cedar Rapids, Crime Scene, Iowa, Paula Oberbroeckling, Victim

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Dina Fort

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 325 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

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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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