Episode 21: The Murder of Michelle Martinko

In 1979, Cedar Rapids, IA, a farm friendly city was in turmoil when a shocking murder occurred. Michelle Martinko was a beautiful 18-year-old senior in Cedar Rapids, IA. She stood out in a crowd, always dressed impeccably and had a very friendly demeanor. Michelle was discovered brutally stabbed in her vehicle close to Christmas when doing some shopping. With very little evidence and technology to process it, the case went cold. Finally, DNA linked to Michelle's killer was uncovered. There were no confirmed DNA matches to pinpoint who it could be. How would detectives be able to narrow down the suspect pool and find the murderer? Listen to hear the science of catching a murderer decades after the crime. 

 

Sources:

"Michelle Martinko murder case evidence photos" by CBS News on  August 7, 2021 

(https://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/michelle-martinko-murder-evidence-photos/) 

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/104050435/michelle_marie-martinko 

"Supreme Court Affirms Jerry Burns' Conviction in 1979 Michelle Martinko Murder" by William Morris in the Des Moines Register on March 31, 2023 

(https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2023/03/31/iowa-supreme-court-michelle-martinko-jerry-burns-dna-conviction/70064243007/) 

"40 years later: What we Know About Michelle Martinko and the Arrest that Re-opened the Cold Case" by Anna Spoerre in the Des Moines Register on December 19, 2019

(https://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/crime-and-courts/2019/12/19/jerry-burns-michelle-martinko-accused-1979-iowa-killing/2702680001/) 

"New Plea for Murder Clues" by Kurt Rogahn in The Gazette on December 28, 1979 

"C.R. Student, 18, Slain" by Kurt Rogahn in The Gazette on December 20, 1979 

"New Theory, Plea in Martinko Case" by Dick Hogan and Kurt Rogahn The Gazette on January 25, 1980

"$10,000 Martinko Reward" by Nancy Stevens and Kurt Rogahn The Gazette on February 22, 1980 

"New Evidence Found in Decades-Old Murder Case" in The Daily Nonpareil on October 3, 2006 

"1979 Killer's Blood Found" by Dorothy de Souza Guedes in The Gazette on October 3, 2006 

"Murder at the Mall"  on Killer Cases, Season 1, Episode 7 on Hulu January 8, 2021