DNA: ID

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Pam Cahanes and Kathy Hicks Part 1 of 3 Jan 29, 2024

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Episode 92 Pam Cahanes and Kathy Hicks Part 1 of 3

Season 4 of DNA: ID kicks off with a massive 3 part episode; In 1982, young Naval recruit Pam Cahanes had finally finished boot camp and graduated with her apprentice airman class. A weekend Liberty Pass allowed Pam to leave the Naval Training Center Orlando base for the first time in months. But Pam didn't live to enjoy her newfound freedom. She was found strangled in her underwear, in the yard of a vacant house, shopping bags of personal items and her clothing strewn around her. Despite an extensive investigation, DNA evidence, and a prime suspect, her case went cold. This case was one of the first in Florida to use Forensic Genealogy to identify a suspect, someone never named in the case file. And when that person's DNA was entered into CODIS, the investigators learned that he WAS named in the case file – in a murder case in Hawaii two years before Pam's.

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Listen Now - Dr. Death: Bad Magic Jan 22, 2024

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When a charismatic young doctor announces revolutionary treatments for cancer and HIV, patients from around the world turn to him for their last chance. As medical experts praise Serhat Gumrukcu's genius, the company he co-founded rockets in value to over half a billion dollars. But when a team of researchers makes a startling discovery, they begin to suspect the brilliant doctor is hiding a secret. From Wondery, the new season of Dr. Death: Bad Magic is a story of miraculous cures, magic and murder. Hosted by Laura Beil. Listen to Dr. Death - Bad Magic: http://wondery.fm/MAGIC_ID

Season 3 Review Dec 11, 2023

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In our final episode of 2023, we review the full length cases we covered this season on DNA:ID as well as the Doe mini episodes. We also touch on current events, trials, and news, that may affect past cases, and change the future of investigative genealogy.

DNA: ID will return for an all new season on January 29, 2024. Happy holidays to all of our listeners.

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DOE: ID 'Jonesport John Doe' Philip Kahn Dec 04, 2023

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Episode 90 DOE: ID 'Jonesport John Doe' Philip Kahn

On July, 24th, 2000, an unidentified man's body was found floating 27 miles off the coast of Jonesport, Maine. Due to the lack of ID, and condition of his remains, not much could be gathered to help investigators determine who this John Doe was, or how he died, although they were able to determine that he did have some specific health issues. The man known as 'Jonesport John Doe' was cremated and buried in an area cemetery. A sample of his DNA was collected with hopes that he would one day be identified, although early attempts proved fruitless.

Eventually, genealogy made it possible to determine that Jonesport John Doe was actually a man named Philip Kahn who had been reported missing by his family in Las Vegas shortly before his body was found. Why Kahn left his family behind and how and why he wound up in Maine remains a mystery. Confounding the mystery is the fact that Philip Kahn may actually have been someone else altogether; creating a mystery within a mystery.

'Jonesport John Doe' finally has his name back; it's Philip Kahn, and this is his story.

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Edna Laughman Part 2 of 2 Nov 27, 2023

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Edna Laughman Part 2 of 2

This is the conclusion of the Edna Laughman episode. If you have not yet listened to part 1, stop now and go back and listen to that part first.

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Edna Laughman Part 1 of 2 Nov 27, 2023

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Episode 89 Edna Laughman Part 1 of 2

In 1987, someone broke into Edna Laughman's home and suffocated and raped the 85 year old widow. She was found by her relative and best friend, Madeline Laughman. Within 2 weeks, Madeline's son was arrested for Edna's slaying. Barry Laughman "confessed" to the crime, and was tried, convicted, and spent 15 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Barry was finally exonerated by updated DNA testing in 2003. But the investigation into who killed his elderly relative was back to Square 1. The case languished until forensic genealogy pointed the investigators to Edna's killer – someone who had been right under their noses the whole time.

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DOE: ID 'Queens Backyard John Doe' George Seitz Nov 20, 2023

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Episode 88 DOE: ID 'Queens Backyard John Doe' George Seitz

In 2019, a woman called into Queens PD with a tip. She recalled that as a child in the late 1970's, she believed that her and her mom had witnessed her mom's then-boyfriend, Martin Motta, clean up, and cover up a murder he had committed in his barber shop, before dismembering his victim's remains to dispose of them. Although the witness couldn't provide exact details and dates, police took her seriously. She told police that some of the remains were likely buried in on the property she lived in as a child. Police wasted no time searching the area, and were able to recover human remains exactly where the tipster told them they would find them. And just as she had indicated, there was evidence that the victim; a man, had been dismembered.

Although police had a murder victim on their hands, they didn't know who he was, so they turned to genealogy to identify the victim. It turned out that he was a WW1 veteran named George Clarence Seitz. The 81 year old had been reported missing after going out for a haircut in 1976 and he never returned. Unfortunately, George Seitz was able to survive a war, but he didn't survive a trip to Martin Motta's barber shop. He was killed for the large amount of cash he carried with him. Martin Motta was tried and convicted for Seitz's murder and sent to prison.

'Queens Backyard John Doe' now has his name back; it's George Seitz, and this is his story.

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Christine Franke Part 2 of 2 Nov 13, 2023

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Episode 87 Christine Franke Part 2 of 2

This is the conclusion of the Christine Franke case. If you have not listened to Part 1 yet, stop now and go back and listen to that part first.

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Christine Franke Part 1 of 2 Nov 13, 2023

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Episode 87 Christine Franke Part 1 of 2

In 2001, Orlando bartender and college student Christine Franke was attacked, shot, sexually assaulted and robbed in her own apartment. The evidence showed that she had just walked in the door from work when her assailant struck. DNA was collected from Christine's person. Her romantic partner told police of a stalker, who was tracked down after an extensive investigation. The DNA ruled him out. After 17 years, police finally turned to the burgeoning new technique, forensic genealogy, which led them to focus on a very large family in Georgia. In this early forensic genealogy case, reference samples obtained from family members via a ruse led to the killer, and obtained justice for Christine, but left the killer's family feeling manipulated.

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Doe: ID 'Cheatham Jane Doe' Linda Karnes Nov 06, 2023

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Episode 86 Doe: ID 'Cheatham Jane Doe' Linda Karnes

In October, 1981, skeletal remains were found by hunters at an old landfill in Cheatham County, Tennessee on Highway 249 in Ashland City. Forensic anthropologists at the University of Tennessee determined the remains belonged to a young, white female, estimated to be between 14 and 17 years old. She carried no ID, and her arms were missing, presumably taken by scavaging animals, so fingerprinting was not an option. But part of her legs were also missing, and showed signs of being removed with a saw. It was clear to authorities that this young girl, who was dubbed 'Cheatham Jane Doe', had been a murder victim and they set out to determine who she was and who was responsible for her death.

Decades later, DNA & genealogy would combine to reveal her identity as Linda Sue Karnes, who had spent time as a teenager in the Montgomery County Girls Home in Clarksville not long before her remains were found. Although authorities now know who she is, it's not clear what led to Linda's murder, or who is responsible. Police are still trying to fill in the blanks and are seeking the public's help. Anyone with pertinent details is encouraged to contact the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND or via email at TipsToTBI@tbi.tn.gov

After more four decades, 'Cheatham County Jane Doe' has her name back, it's Linda Sue Karnes, and this is her story.

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