Episode 169 DNA ID Replay; The case of Lee Rotatori
While Jess is on winter break preparing new episodes of DNA ID for 2026, we are airing some of our favorite one part episodes weekly in what we call 'DNA ID Replay' episodes. These Replay episodes will air every week while on break with the exception of Christmas week.
In this replay episode, we explore the case of Lee Rotatori which originally aired in episode 70.
In June 1982, Lee Rotatori was excited for the new job that meant a move to Council Bluffs, Iowa. But when Lee was found murdered in the Best Western there, police were stumped. The only clue was floral foam on the floor, and there were no suspects. Lee knew only a few people in town, and her husband was over 600 miles away when she was raped and stabbed in Room 106. Her case went cold. When forensic genealogy pointed to a man named Thomas Freeman as her killer, it just added to the mystery. Freeman had been murdered within weeks of Lee, and his killer was unknown. And, he had no connection whatsoever to Council Bluffs, or Lee. But he did have a connection to Carbondale, IL, where he lived 15 miles from Lee's husband Jerry Nemke – who had a history of his own.
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Join DNA ID at Crimecon Las Vegas 2026
It's official; DNA ID host Jessica Bettencourt has officially been invited back to Crimecon to represent DNA ID on creator's row. Crimecon 2026 will take place at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas May 29-31, 2026. At Crimecon, you get the chance to talk to legendary investigators, attend immersive panel events, take photos with your favorite true crime celebs, catch up with your true crime friends, and much, much more. And if you go, please stop by Jessica's table on creator's row and say hi, and be sure to pick up some DNA ID merch!
You can save 10% on your standard Crimecon badge by using the show's special promo code when you checkout at Crimecon.com. That promo code is DNAID. Using our promo code will be helping to support the show, and will make it possible for Jessica to continue to be invited back.
Episode 168 DNA ID Replay; The case of Kathleen O'Brien Doyle and Aundria Bowman.
While Jess is on winter break preparing new episodes of DNA ID for 2026, we are airing some of our favorite one part episodes weekly in what we call 'DNA ID Replay' episodes. These Replay episodes will air every week while on break with the exception of Christmas week.
In this replay episode, we explore the case of Kathleen O'Brien Doyle and Aundria Bowman which originally aired in episode 29.
In 1980, Kathleen O'Brien Doyle was a young navy wife living alone in Norfolk, Virginia while her husband was stationed on an aircraft carrier. One night as she was getting ready for bed, an attacker entered her home through a window and raped, stabbed and strangled Kathleen. Her case quickly went cold. When Norfolk police and NCIS decided to employ forensic genealogy to find answers in her case, what they discovered also gave them answers to a decades-old missing persons case in Michigan. Kathleen O'Brien Doyle's murderer in Virginia and Aundria Bowman's murderer in Michigan were one and the same. And he was still around to answer for his crimes.
To listen to every episode of DNA: ID ad-free and get other benefits, simply visit our channel page on Apple Podcasts to get started with an AbJack Insider subscription. Of course, you can also support DNA: ID with a Patreon subscription.
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Episode 167 2025 The Year in Review
In the final episode of 2025, we recap the fascinating cases we've covered in 2025, as well as provide updates to past cases.
DNA ID will return in January, 2026 with all new episodes. In the meantime, you can tune in for replays of past episodes.
This episode is sponsored by Uncommon Goods; your source for unique gifts. Listeners of DNA ID can save 15% on their next purchase at Uncommon Goods by using our special link.
To listen to every episode of DNA: ID ad-free and get other benefits, simply visit our channel page on Apple Podcasts to get started with an AbJack Insider subscription. Of course, you can also support DNA: ID with a Patreon subscription.
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Episode 166 Opal Weil Part 2 of 2
This is part 2 of the Opal Weil case. If you have not listened to part 1 yet, please stop now and go back and listen to that part first.
To listen to every episode of DNA: ID ad-free and get other benefits, simply visit our channel page on Apple Podcasts to get started with an AbJack Insider subscription. Of course, you can also support DNA: ID with a Patreon subscription.
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Episode 166 Opal Weil Part 1 of 2
In January 1987, 82 year old Opal Weil was slain in her St. Petersburg, FL home. The crime scene reflected a burglary, with Opal's wedding ring pulled off her finger. Within a week, it happened again. Octogenarian Eleanor Swift's home, just 6 miles from Opal's, was burgled, she was killed, and her wedding ring taken. A third victim in the same month survived, but remembered nothing. The cases, quickly connected in the eyes of the investigators, went cold, despite a large number of suspects being considered. Hairs found at Opal's crime scene, distinct from her own, would prove to be the key to an IGG analysis, and a suspect was finally identified and arrested for her murder in 2023. But that is not the end of the story.
To listen to every episode of DNA: ID ad-free and get other benefits, simply visit our channel page on Apple Podcasts to get started with an AbJack Insider subscription. Of course, you can also support DNA: ID with a Patreon subscription.
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Episode 165 Doe ID: 'Government Camp Jane Doe' Wanda Herr
In August, 1986, a human skull and some bones were found of Highway 26 near Government Camp, Oregon. There was nothing to help ID the victim, who the authorities believed was a female between the ages of 17 and 30. An expert believed that the skull had been there for as long as ten years, but some time later, that idea would be challenged.
Eventually, DNA & genealogy would prove that 'Government Camp Jane Doe' was actually Wanda Ann Herr who was described as a "chronic runaway" and had last been seen by her family in Oregon in 1976. Her case is being investigated as a possible homicide, although it's likely due to very little potential evidence, the mystery surrounding her death will never be solved.
This episode is sponsored by Uncommon Goods; your source for unique gifts. Listeners of DNA ID can save 15% on their next purchase at Uncommon Goods by using our special link.
To listen to every episode of DNA: ID ad-free and get other benefits, simply visit our channel page on Apple Podcasts to get started with an AbJack Insider subscription. Of course, you can also support DNA: ID with a Patreon subscription.
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Episode 164 The Denver Four Part 2 of 2
This is part 2 of the Denver Four case. If you have not listened to part 1 yet, please stop now and go back and listen to that part first.
To listen to every episode of DNA: ID ad-free and get other benefits, simply visit our channel page on Apple Podcasts to get started with an AbJack Insider subscription. Of course, you can also support DNA: ID with a Patreon subscription.
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Episode 164 The Denver Four Part 1 of 2
Four women were murdered in the Denver, CO area, three in 1980 and one in 1978, in crimes that remained unsolved – and unconnected – for decades. The victims had nothing in common, the circumstances varied widely. But modern DNA testing technology provided investigators with some very surprising information – and IGG tied it all together. They were looking for one man for all four murders – and those were not the sum total of his heinous crimes. Today's episode is about one of the more depraved killers identified by IGG, one you've likely never heard of.
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Episode 163 Doe ID: Roberta Mumma
In 1984, the decomposed remains of a woman wrapped in plastic were found in remote Wizard Wells, Jack County, TX. Experts posited that she was a young white woman, but without any identification, no fingerprints, and no corresponding missing persons reports, she could not be identified. Fast forward nearly 40 years – when IGG would be used on her bones to identify her as Roberta Mumma. Roberta hailed from the Lancaster, PA area and was believed to have died around age 25. Her death is considered a homicide, and the Jack County authorities and the Texas Rangers are seeking information about her case.
To listen to every episode of DNA: ID ad-free and get other benefits, simply visit our channel page on Apple Podcasts to get started with an AbJack Insider subscription. Of course, you can also support DNA: ID with a Patreon subscription.
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Episode 162 Leslie Preer Part 2 of 2
This is part 2, the conclusion of the Leslie Preer case. If you have not listened to part 1 yet, please stop now, and go back and listen to that part first.
To listen to every episode of DNA: ID ad-free and get other benefits, simply visit our channel page on Apple Podcasts to get started with an AbJack Insider subscription. Of course, you can also support DNA: ID with a Patreon subscription.
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