Podcast Summary: 20/20 – "The Code Breakers" (Rebroadcast)

Original air date: August 23, 2025
Host: ABC News
Main Theme:
This episode of 20/20, "The Code Breakers," explores two chilling cold cases involving the brutal murders of young women whose killers evaded justice for decades. The episode focuses on how technological leaps in forensic DNA analysis and genealogical sleuthing ultimately unmasked the perpetrators, providing long-sought answers and a measure of justice for the victims’ families.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Case 1: Kathy Swartz – Michigan, 1988

• Background:

  • Kathy Swartz (19), a young mother, was murdered in her home with her 9-month-old daughter, Courtney, left alone but unharmed in a nearby crib.
  • The scene was shocking: blood smeared on the stairway, defensive wounds, evidence of a violent struggle, and a singular bloody fingerprint left on a pink phone (03:39–07:39).
  • The case initially focused suspicion on a former boyfriend ("Harley") due to cryptic writings on the fridge and thigh—but blood, footprints, and fingerprints did not match.
  • Despite extensive questioning and even the wrongful arrest of the ex-boyfriend, the case grew cold (14:49–16:43).

• Emotional Toll:

  • Kathy’s daughter Courtney, raised by her grandparents, describes the pain and paranoia of growing up as a survivor and the subject of community curiosity (09:08–09:53, 18:01–18:26).
  • Quote:
    “Growing up, most kids, you know, they look at people and they don't have to think, is that the man that killed your mom? And everybody that I met, that's the first thing that would pop into my mind.” — Courtney Swartz [41:59]

• Early Investigation and Frustrations:

  • Despite multiple pieces of forensic evidence (footprints, fingerprints, DNA), the technology of the time couldn’t produce a match.
  • Frustrations peaked as years passed with no progress, even after repeated evidence testing as DNA science advanced (17:22–17:49).

2. Case 2: Katherine Edwards – Texas, 1995

• Background:

  • Katherine Edwards, a beloved elementary school teacher, was found handcuffed and murdered in her home (31:40–33:00).
  • Again, there was no sign of forced entry, suggesting either familiarity or deception by someone posing as authority.
  • DNA recovered from a rape kit and bedspread did not match her ex-boyfriend; extensive testing in the national CODIS database also led nowhere (37:05–37:25).

• Family & Community Impact:

  • Katherine had a twin sister, Allison, whose emotional testimony painted a portrait of a close-knit family riven by tragedy:
    "When Kathryn died, she thought her parents died a little bit that day too." — Kristen Mittleman [70:26]

Breakthroughs: Forensic Technology & Genealogical Sleuthing

The Role of Othram Forensics Lab

• Cutting-edge DNA Sequencing:
  • Husband-and-wife team David and Kristen Mittleman founded Othram, a privately funded forensics lab. Using advanced DNA sequencing and public genealogical databases, they crack cases considered unsolvable for decades (26:08–28:15).
  • Unlike traditional DNA testing that measures 20 markers, Othram’s methods yield up to a million data points, enabling distant familial matches (27:02–27:34).
    Quote:
    “This machine actually can read out the entire sequence... 100,000 to a million data points.” — David Mittleman [27:12]

Case Resolutions

Kathy Swartz’s Case

• Breakthrough:
  • Genetic genealogy whittled 1,000 suspects down to four brothers; three were ruled out with DNA. Robert Waters, living quietly in South Carolina, emerged as the match (58:39–59:34).
• Apprehension:
  • Investigators, posing as routine interviewers, collected Waters’ fingerprints and DNA. The match was conclusive; Waters was arrested but committed suicide in jail before trial (62:32–66:47).
    Quote:
    “I just wanted him to feel my presence in the room.” — Courtney Swartz [67:09]
• Community Reflection:
  • The case’s resolution brought answers, if not closure, to Courtney and the community.
  • “I have been living with this for 36 years… so I can close this book and open up my own with my own kids. There's no words for that.” — Courtney Swartz [81:37]

Katherine Edwards’ Case

• Breakthrough:
  • Genetic genealogy connected DNA to a family tree in Louisiana, with a match eventually leading to Clayton Foreman, an old classmate and acquaintance.
  • The genealogy work enlisted even relatives and local genealogists familiar with Cajun ancestry (44:55–47:09).
• Investigation:
  • Investigators discovered Foreman had a prior, similar sexual assault for which he received a light sentence in 1981, implicating him with a prior pattern (47:30–52:09).
• Apprehension and Trial:
  • DNA collected covertly led to an arrest in Ohio. Foreman was extradited to Texas and tried for capital murder (54:09–68:22).
  • The jury convicted Foreman after less than an hour of deliberation; he was sentenced to life in prison (78:05–78:35).
  • Moving witness testimonies from Katherine’s twin sister Allison and Foreman’s earlier victim, Paula Ramsey, magnified the emotion and gravity: Quote:
    “I wanted to see justice done for her.” — Paula Ramsey, about testifying for Katherine [77:08] “It was amazing to watch her, how brave she was to do that.” — Jeffrey Middleton, on Paula Ramsey’s testimony [76:51]

Technology & The Future of Justice

• The show closes with recognition of the transformative power of modern forensic technology:
  • “There are tens of thousands of little tubes of DNA in crime labs across this country, and all of them have answers.” — David Mittleman [80:58]
• Law enforcement and lab scientists stress the importance of submitting every unsolved case for retesting, as closure and justice are now within reach for thousands of cases globally.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote / Moment | |-----------|---------|----------------| | 03:31 | Sam Smallcomb | “He gets home at 3, 3:30, and he immediately notices something is wrong.” | | 41:59 | Courtney Swartz | “That's the first thing that would pop into my mind... is that the man that killed your mom?” | | 27:12 | David Mittleman | “This machine actually can read out the entire sequence...100,000 to a million data points.” | | 67:09 | Courtney Swartz | “I just wanted him to feel my presence in the room.” | | 78:16 | David Muir | “29 years of waiting came down to seven days of testimony and ultimately 52 minutes of deliberation.” | | 80:58 | David Mittleman | “There are tens of thousands of little tubes of DNA in crime labs across this country, and all of them have answers.” |

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:29 – 03:40: Presenting the two crimes: Kathy Swartz and Katherine Edwards
• 07:09 – 08:19: Bloody fingerprint, clues missed in original investigation
• 13:24 – 14:07: Discovery of mysterious writings; “Harley was here”
• 26:08 – 27:31: Advanced DNA sequencing explained
• 44:55 – 47:09: Genealogical hunt for the Texas killer, family tree built
• 54:09 – 56:46: Covert operation; evidence leads to Foreman’s arrest
• 62:32 – 66:47: Robert Waters’ arrest, suicide in custody
• 68:14 – 78:35: Foreman’s trial, emotional testimonies
• 80:20 – 81:37: Reflections on future case-solving and closure

Reflections, Impact, and Tone

• Tone: Respectful, emotional, and quietly triumphant—mixing deep sorrow, frustration, and gratitude, especially from family members and investigators who refused to give up.
• Impact:
  • Shows the human toll of unsolved violence and the critical relief and validation when answers are finally given—if not always the closure families yearn for.
  • Brings hope for countless other cold cases through technology and stubborn determination.

Conclusion

This episode not only tells the stories of two long-unsolved murders and the people who suffered through decades of uncertainty but also demonstrates the transformational effect of forensic technology in serving justice, restoring agency, and offering survivors the chance to move forward.

“I don't believe in closure... But I do believe that truth allows you to turn the page.” — Kristen Mittleman [81:26]

Note: All advertisements and non-editorial material were omitted for clarity and focus.