Murder, She Told

Back in November 2024, I spoke with investigative genetic genealogist Cairenn Binder of Ramapo College about the basics of investigative genetic genealogy and how it helps solve cold cases and restore the names of unidentified people.

Now, in an interview with Laurah Norton of The Fall Line, Cairenn returns to discuss a recent development that has shaken the field. Changes to the terms of service at Ancestry affecting access to historical records and family trees could have major implications for investigators working to identify John and Jane Does and generate leads in homicide cases.

Many genealogists fear the policy shift could impact both current investigations and cases still waiting to be solved. Cairenn helps break down the key updates—and what they could mean moving forward.


Sources for The Fall Line: https://www.thefalllinepodcast.com/sources


Mentioned in the episode: ⁠NYT article⁠


Read Laurah's book, Lay Them to Rest

Revisit "Cracking Cold Cases Using Investigative Genetic Genealogy" originally published 11/5/2024: ⁠https://murdershetold.com/episodes/investigative-genetic-genealogy⁠

Support the show: ⁠https://www.murdershetold.com/support⁠


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Website: ⁠murdershetold.com⁠

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1975 - Concord, New Hampshire.

In May 1975, a rent collector knocked on the door of 22-year-old Judith Lord’s apartment. There was no answer—only the sound of her baby crying. When he went inside, he found Judy dead in her upstairs bedroom.

From the beginning, police had suspects. The case moved quickly. An arrest felt imminent.

But then, a single scientific conclusion shifted the trajectory of the investigation. What should have been a straight path to justice became a decades-long detour.

This is a story about a young mother, a community shaken, and a murder investigation steered off course by flawed forensics—a mistake that cost years, and a resolution that came far too late.

Episode sources and photos:

https://www.murdershetold.com/episodes/judy-lord

Support the show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.murdershetold.com/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


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Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠murdershetold.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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1937 - Mexico, Missouri

On the eve of Thanksgiving in 1937, 46-year-old Margaret Mortimer, who went by Peggy, was just steps from her front door when she was attacked and killed by an unknown assailant.

Investigators found few clues and no obvious suspects, despite a city-wide manhunt. And as early leads faded, local police turned to Ira Cooper, the St. Louis Police Department’s first Black lieutenant, hoping his sterling reputation could bring answers to a case already slipping away.

The murder shocked the industrial town of Mexico, Missouri. Peggy was well known and widely liked, with no clear enemies. But on that cold November night, someone was waiting—and the question remains: who?

Episode sources and photos: https://www.murdershetold.com/episodes/margaret-peggy-mortimer

Support the show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.murdershetold.com/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


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1981 - Winchendon, Massachusetts.

On January 30, 1981, 19-year-old Nancy Williams picked up a last-minute shift at the Cumberland Farms in Winchendon, Massachusetts.

Just two hours before closing, an unknown assailant entered the store, robbed it, and brutally stabbed Nancy, leaving her for dead behind the counter.

The crime stunned locals, who struggled to believe something so violent could happen in their quiet town. Even more unsettling was the thought that the person responsible may have simply blended back into the community—never identified, never held accountable.

Now, 45 years later, Nancy’s case is being revived in the hope that renewed attention, advances in forensic technology, and fresh tips can finally bring justice for Nancy.

Cumberland Farms is now offering a $25K reward for information that leads to the conviction in Nancy’s case. If you have info that can help, please contact the Massachusetts State Police Unresolved Case Unit at 1-855-MA-SOLVE (1-855-627-6583) or email [email protected].

Episode sources and photos: https://murdershetold.com/episodes/nancy-williams

Support the show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.murdershetold.com/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


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Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠murdershetold.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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1963 - Wytopitlock, Maine.

In April of 1963, a violent discovery was made inside a tiny, one-room cabin in the woods off Route 2A in Aroostook County. 68-year-old Emil Andrew Martens was found brutally beaten to death, setting off a brief and fragmented investigation that produced a swirl of suspects, rumors, and unanswered questions.

Today, Emil Martens’ name does not appear on any official unsolved case lists in Maine. His life, his death, and the circumstances surrounding a brutal crime remain largely forgotten—buried in history… until now.

This is the life and death of Emil Martens.

Episode sources and photos: https://murdershetold.com/episodes/emil-martens

Support the show: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.murdershetold.com/support⁠⁠⁠⁠


Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@murdershetoldpodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠


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Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠murdershetold.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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