20/20: "Badass Detective"

Podcast by ABC News
Date: January 10, 2026

Episode Overview

This riveting episode of 20/20, titled "Badass Detective," dives deep into the long-unsolved 1982 murder of 15-year-old Karen Stitt in Sunnyvale, California, and the parallel case of Estella Mena's 1979 murder. It profiles the relentless work of Detective Matt Hutchison (“Hutch”), who—decades after the crimes occurred—solves these cold cases using a creative, all-encompassing approach and technological innovations like forensic genealogy. The episode not only unveils the twists and turns of the investigations but also celebrates the determination and human cost required to seek justice, painting a vivid portrait of both the victims' families and the relentless detective at the center of the storm.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Brutal Murder of Karen Stitt

• Karen Stitt was 15, found murdered in 1982 near a bus stop in Sunnyvale. She was raped, bound with her own clothes, and stabbed over 50 times.
• The crime scene: Karen's body was dumped behind a cinderblock wall, with blood smears and her personal items scattered around. (01:07–11:03)

“Raped, stabbed over 50 times and left to bleed to death by a monster.”
— Karen Stitt’s Family Member (01:15)

• The first suspect is her boyfriend, David Woods, who’d seen her last the night she was killed. Detectives seize upon inconsistencies in his alibi and a pocket knife found in his possession. However, after extensive questioning and investigation, no evidence links him definitively to the crime. (15:02–16:03, 22:02–28:50)

2. Cold Case Challenges and Detective Hutchison's Arrival

• For decades, the case goes cold. Files and evidence grow dusty and disorganized.

• Enter Matt Hutchison, a Sunnyvale native turned detective, known for his relentless drive and willingness to push boundaries.

• Hutchison takes on cold cases out of a deep sense of mission and with encouragement from his stepfather, a retired officer. He describes his determination:

  “You’re gonna work these cases until they’re solved or it’s gonna break you.”
  — Detective Matt Hutchison (02:51)

• Hutch partners with volunteer Carol Smith and a diverse team, including forensic scientists and later genealogists, to reopen and organize the cold cases. (05:37–07:43)

3. DNA and Forensic Genealogy Breakthroughs

• In 2000, a pivotal DNA analysis excludes David Woods as the killer and reveals an unknown male suspect. But CODIS brings no match. (31:02–32:18)

“David Woods is eliminated as the source of that blood.”
— Detective Matt Hutchison (31:50)

• 35+ years later, Hutch revisits the case with forensic genealogy, building out family trees from distant DNA relatives found in online databases. Despite initially being told to “move on to a different case,” Hutch persists, recruiting genealogy experts and volunteers. (57:00–59:05)

• The investigation narrows to three, then two brothers, with creative undercover work, trash collection for DNA, and even a visit to a Maui psychic leading them to the prime suspect: Gary Ramirez. (62:17–65:32)

“We just took our pool of suspects from millions […] to […] three men in the world that it could be.”
— Detective Matt Hutchison (62:27)

4. Parallel Case: The Murder of Estella Mena (1979)

• Hutch also investigates the murder of 18-year-old Estella Mena, a security guard stabbed at work. Like Karen’s case, DNA found at the scene becomes crucial years later.
• An initial suspect is ruled out when DNA from a shoe matches a violent felon in Colorado, Samuel Silva, showing the value—and limits—of forensic evidence. Unfortunately, Silva had died years before. (53:06–55:24)

5. Creative Detective Work and Emotional Toll

• Hutch’s resourcefulness is on full display: from riding on garbage trucks to collect DNA evidence to covert visits as a “married couple” at a suspect’s psychic landlord’s house in Maui. (47:10–65:32)

• The psychological cost and dedication necessary to solve such cases are clear:

  “They get into your soul. And these cases will affect me for the rest of my life.”
  — Detective Matt Hutchison (80:05)

• Supporting families and collaborating with volunteers and scientists, Hutch becomes "almost like extended family" to the victims’ loved ones. (81:01)

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On relentless pursuit:

  “He’s willing to kind of get down in the muck to do whatever it takes.”
  — Gary (02:25)

• On the cold case files:

  “Boxes stacked 6 feet high, filing cabinets with loose papers... total silence. Back there were the ghosts.”
  — Gary (07:25)

• Turning point with DNA testing:

  “We have the guy?... No, but there’s this person. If you go out and you get their DNA, we’ll know...”
  — Genealogist via Detective Matt Hutchison (61:44)

• Moment of closure:

  “I pulled [Karen’s picture] up and I said, Karen, we did it.”
  — Detective Matt Hutchison (76:07)

• On solving cold cases:

  “I’ll do whatever I can to get more of these cases worked… And I hope all the Gary Ramirez’s of the world and the Samuel Silvas of the world are living in fear for the knock on the door that’s coming.”
  — Detective Matt Hutchison (82:32)

Key Timestamps

• 00:33–11:03: Karen Stitt’s murder and initial investigation
• 22:02–32:18: Suspicion shifts, boyfriend cleared by DNA
• 34:56–41:10: Introduction to parallel case of Estella Mena
• 47:10–51:26: Creative, hands-on detective work and pivotal evidence collection (trash truck operation)
• 52:05–55:24: The crucial DNA match for Estella Mena's case, discovering Silva
• 57:00–69:02: Genealogy, narrowing suspects, finally identifying and arresting Gary Ramirez
• 76:07–77:26: DNA match confirmed, Karen’s family informed
• 78:05–82:07: Court outcome, emotional aftermath, and legacy of persistence

Conclusion: Legacy of Relentless Investigation

The episode powerfully illustrates how “badass” detective work operates today: not just through dogged police persistence, but also teamwork, community support, the embrace of new science, and empathy for victims’ families. Matt Hutchison’s journey is one of innovation, humility, and heart—and a reminder that justice can arrive decades late, but never too late.

“It was all of us. It’s not just me... The evidence they collected is what ultimately led to both of these cases being solved.”
— Detective Matt Hutchison (81:31)

For Listeners: Why It Matters

This story showcases the evolving world of cold case investigation, the impact of modern forensics, and the importance of not giving up—even when the trail grows cold. The legacy of Karen Stitt, Estella Mena, and the determination of Detective Matt “Hutch” Hutchison exemplifies real-life heroism, with new hope delivered to families long haunted by unanswered questions.