20/20 True Crime Vault: "New Year's Evil"
Podcast Summary
Date: March 10, 2026
Host: ABC News
Episode Focus: The unexplained and ultimately tragic death of Shelly Danishefsky Kovlin on New Year’s Eve, 2009. The episode unravels the true crime mystery through family interviews, investigator insights, trial coverage, and reflections on justice.
Episode Overview
This episode explores the chilling case of Shelly Kovlin—a vibrant, accomplished mother of two—who was found dead in her Manhattan apartment on December 31, 2009. Originally ruled an accident, Shelly's story twists through religious, familial, and legal challenges, leading to her body’s exhumation, a homicide ruling, and the eventual conviction of her estranged husband, Rod Covlin.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Shelly’s Life & Background (00:41–07:00)
- Shelly is portrayed as warm, driven, and at the center of her family’s life.
- “She would walk into a room and she would light it up.” – Shelly's Sister (Eve), (03:28)
- Success in finance, dedication to her Orthodox Jewish faith, and later, heartbreak through infertility struggles and loss of newborn twins.
- Marriage to Rod Covlin described as romantic, but marred by stress and Rod’s employment struggles.
2. The breakdown of the Kovlin Marriage (07:00–13:18)
- Shelly becomes the family’s breadwinner as Rod pursues backgammon professionally.
- “Backgammon’s Rod’s main focus. So Shelly’s the major breadwinner…” – Private Investigator RJ Decker, (10:14)
- Marital strain escalates with Rod’s affairs, culminating in his request for an open marriage.
- “She was disgusted. She said, this is not okay for me and it’s not okay for my children…” – Shelly's Sister (Eve), (12:08)
- Divorce filed after emotional abuse and fear for her safety.
3. Custody Battle & Rod’s Alarming Behavior (13:18–22:23)
- Bitter custody dispute with Rod making a false accusation of child abuse against Shelly, leading to police intervention.
- “His hatred for me is stronger than his love for his children.” – Shelly's Sister (Eve), (20:06)
- Supervised visitation imposed on Rod by the court.
4. A New Beginning for Shelly... Until Tragedy (22:23–34:43)
- Shelly regains confidence, starts dating, and plans for the future; talks about changing her will and formally divorcing Rod.
- On New Year’s Eve morning, Shelly’s daughter Anna finds her mother’s body in the bathtub, sparking devastating family and official reactions.
5. Initial Investigation & Religious Complications (34:43–41:35)
- Early police conclusions rule Shelly’s death as accidental due to a slip and fall, with no signs of forced entry, and consistent stories from Rod and Anna.
- Religious customs prevent an immediate autopsy and allow for the bathroom’s quick cleanup, potentially eliminating forensic evidence.
- “Without an autopsy, sometimes people can get away with murder.” – Medical Examiner Dr. Jonathan Hayes, (41:24)
6. Family Doubts and The Push for Justice (41:35–49:33)
- Family’s suspicions grow, especially after learning her death is officially “undetermined” and not an accident.
- Shelly had reportedly warned family, “If something happens to me, he is your number one suspect. You look into Rod Covlin.” – Shelly’s Sister (Eve), (42:36)
- Family and private investigators press for exhumation and a real investigation.
7. The Autopsy & Revelations (49:33–53:54)
- Autopsy finds scratch marks, petechial hemorrhages in the eyes, and a fractured hyoid bone—a clear sign of manual strangulation.
- “When you put together all the evidence, the scratch marks to the face, the petechia in the eye, and the broken hyoid bone, there’s no way this is not a chokehold.” – Private Investigator RJ Decker, (53:21)
- Shelly’s cause of death reclassified as homicide by neck compression.
8. Building the Case Against Rod (53:54–65:14)
- Focus turns on Rod: motives (loss of inheritance and custody), inconsistencies in his narrative, and evidence of prior assault and threats.
- Rod’s erratic post-incident behavior, including violent altercations with his parents and alleged murder plots.
- Key digital evidence from Rod’s computer and girlfriend’s accounts bolster the case.
9. The Trial and Prosecution Strategy (65:14–76:47)
- The highly circumstantial nature of the evidence; prosecution relies on testimony from Rod’s romantic partners and digital behavior.
- Martial arts evidence and Rod’s own demonstration of a chokehold video from jail presented as significant proof.
- “Is that particular move consistent or inconsistent with the chokehold that is taught in martial arts? It’s consistent as taught in martial arts.” – Private Investigator RJ Decker, (77:06)
- Motive tied to preventing Shelly from changing her will—worth over $5 million.
10. Conviction, Aftermath, and Family Divisions (77:56–84:10)
- Jury convicts Rod Covlin of second-degree murder (80:22), a verdict bringing relief to Shelly’s family.
- “It was justice for Shelly, and she can rest.” – Shelly’s Sister (Eve), (80:41)
- Rod maintains innocence, points to lack of direct evidence.
- In a deeply emotional moment, daughter Anna reads a statement at sentencing defending her father and calling the conviction unjust (81:43).
- Rod receives 25 years to life and files appeals; family focus shifts to the future wellbeing of Shelly’s children.
Memorable Quotes & Moments
- “If something happens to me, he is your number one suspect.”
— Shelly’s Sister (Eve), recalling Shelly’s warnings (42:36) - “Without an autopsy, sometimes people can get away with murder.”
— Medical Examiner Dr. Jonathan Hayes (41:24) - “The question was never, is he going to kill Shelly? The question was always, when.”
— Matthew Bogdanos, Prosecutor (68:11) - “Justice has a single voice, and that voice tells you he is guilty. Not because I say so, but because he is.”
— Prosecution closing argument (79:00) - “My mom passed away. My dad has been taken away for so long already. Please let us know that it will come to an end.”
— Statement by daughter Anna, read at sentencing (81:43)
Important Timestamps
- 00:41–03:16: Shelly’s last day and discovery of her death
- 07:44: The loss of twins & its impact
- 11:20–13:08: Marital breakdown leading to divorce
- 20:16: Rod’s attempt to suspend visitation backfires
- 24:26: Initial police at the scene—accident theory
- 41:24: “Without an autopsy, people can get away with murder”
- 53:21: Medical evidence of homicide
- 65:01: Rod’s surprise arrest six years later
- 80:22: Jury verdict—Guilty
- 81:43: Anna’s sentencing statement
Final Reflection
The episode meticulously traces the transformation of an apparent tragedy into a murder case, highlighting the tenacity of Shelly’s family, the intersection of faith and law, and the enduring emotional scars on all involved. The pain of Shelly’s loss lingers, underscored by the profound divisions and lingering questions within her family, especially as her children seek closure in the aftermath.