Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"But I am going to walk you through it all. From the night of the murder on Valentine's Day 2007, to the brand new forensic techniques used today to identify the killer. And ultimately, to the chilling realization that our suspect was leading a double life." — Ashley Flowers
"The phenotype composites can predict suspects eye color, hair color, skin tone, even like facial structure based on the DNA makeup." — Brett
"But when Barbara looks deep into the genealogy, she sees a double adoption in the miracle family. So basically at some point, a man with the last name miracle had a son named Robert who was adopted and took on the Italian last name Mabrito." — Ashley Flowers
The episode recounts the harrowing murder of Jody Saren on Valentine's Day 2007. Her parents discovered her deceased in her apartment under disturbing circumstances, initially mistaking the perpetrator for someone else. The investigation faced significant challenges due to a lack of direct leads and the perpetrator's meticulous nature, which left minimal evidence initially. Despite extensive efforts, including suspect interviews and DNA analysis, the case remained unsolved for years, becoming a "white whale" for the Carlsbad Police Department.
A turning point in the investigation came with the advancement of forensic technologies. The use of forensic phenotyping provided a composite sketch, and later, investigative genetic genealogy (IGG) became instrumental. By uploading the offender's DNA to public databases, investigators were able to build extensive family trees, eventually leading to the identification of David Mabrito. This process involved extensive genealogical research, including the examination of adoption records and familial connections to narrow down the suspect pool.
The identification of David Mabrito as the killer was a complex process involving multiple stages of DNA analysis and genealogical research. It was discovered that David Mabrito had a history of drug abuse and that his DNA was originally collected in a separate incident in 2011, shortly before his death. A direct DNA comparison between the crime scene sample and the 2011 sample confirmed him as the perpetrator. The narrative highlights the emotional journey of David's ex-wife, Marissa, as she grappled with the realization of his involvement in the crime, ultimately assisting investigators in piecing together the timeline leading to his death, which was ruled a suicide.