REOPENED: DNA SPEAKS: A Deadly Premonition
Summary
This episode details the 1981 murder of Linda Slayton in Lakeland, Florida, and the 38-year investigation that followed. After initial leads failed, detectives used preserved DNA evidence and genetic genealogy to identify the killer as Joseph Mills, the football coach of her son. Mills was arrested in 2019 and sentenced to life in prison, finally providing closure to Linda’s sons, Tim and Jeff.
Topics discussed
Introduction: The 40-year wait for justice
The discovery of Linda Slayton's body
The sons' traumatic first look at the crime scene
Linda's life, family background, and the night before
Initial investigation and suspicion of son Jeff
Interrogations, polygraphs, and autopsy results
Forensic evidence collection and the funeral
Investigating ex-husband Frank Slayton
The case goes cold and the brothers' trauma
Sponsor break
1995: The Frank Potts lead
1998: DNA profiling and the National Database
2001-2015: Ruling out suspects and detective retirement
2018: New technology and genetic genealogy
Building the family tree to identify the suspect
Identifying Joseph Mills, the football coach
Confirming identity via fingerprints and trash pull
Sponsor break
Arrest, interrogation, and Mills' confession
Victim impact statements and sentencing
Outro and credits
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