Podcast Summary: "Calling For Justice"
"48 Hours" by CBS News
Release Date: June 18, 2025

Introduction to the Case

"48 Hours" delves into the harrowing murder of Marilyn McIntyre in Columbus, Wisconsin, a crime that remained unsolved for nearly three decades. The case not only fractured Marilyn's family but also sparked deep-seated suspicions and tensions within the community.

Background of Marilyn and Carolyn Rahn

Marilyn McIntyre and Carolyn Rahn were identical twin sisters, born on November 14, 1961. Their lives took a tragic turn when their real mother died in a car accident in 1966, leading Marilyn and Carolyn, along with their older siblings Brenda and Dean, to live with their father and an abusive stepmother. The sisters endured physical, mental, and verbal abuse, which eventually led them to foster care at the age of 13.

At 16, Marilyn sought stability and found it in Lane McIntyre, marrying him on January 19, 1979, when she was just 17. Despite initial reservations from Carolyn's older sister, Brenda, the couple started a family, welcoming their son, Christopher, in December 1979.

The Night of the Murder

On March 10, 1980, the McIntyre household appeared typical, with Lane handling household chores before leaving for work. Marilyn was tragically murdered that night, her body discovered by Lane upon his return from work.

Lane McIntyre recounts the discovery:
"I stood in the doorway for a while. I didn't want to believe what I was seeing... I was looking at my son, Christopher." [03:13]

Chief Lee Erdman of the Columbus Police emphasized the brutality of the crime:
"It was a heinous crime... We're looking for a mean individual, not a stranger." [02:53]

Initial Investigation and Suspicions

The immediate absence of forced entry and robbery suggested that Marilyn knew her killer. Lane provided the first significant lead by naming his close friend, Kurt Forbes, as a suspect. His suspicion was rooted in Kurt's recent breakup and rumored intentions to seek out Marilyn that night.

Lane McIntyre explained his reasoning:
"I believe that Kurt Forbes had a crush on Marilyn and his girlfriend just left him... I believe he had the intention to rape." [13:37]

Despite suspicions, the circumstantial evidence against Kurt was weak, and the case eventually went cold in 1983 without an arrest.

The Case Goes Cold

Wayne Smith, a lieutenant with the Columbus County Sheriff's Office, reflected on the stagnation:
"After 1983, this case went cold... There's nothing new." [03:47]

During the intervening years, Lane remarried, and suspicions began to shift back toward him, especially after he took out a $10,000 life insurance policy on Marilyn just days before her murder.

Carolyn Rahn revealed:
"Lane looked at me and he goes, Brenda, guess what I did. I took a whole life insurance policy from Marilyn." [18:39]

Reopening the Investigation in 2007

In 2007, Tara Doucet, Carolyn Rahn's daughter, inadvertently restarted the investigation by contacting the wrong police department. This error led Detective Lieutenant Wayne Smith to reopen the case.

Wayne Smith stated:
"When I took a look at this case, my question was, why didn't he get arrested in 1980?" [20:10]

Breakthrough with DNA Evidence

A pivotal moment came when a small blood stain from the original crime scene was subjected to DNA testing. The results excluded Lane McIntyre but indicated the presence of additional DNA contributors, including Kurt Forbes.

Wayne Smith explained the significance:
"The report showed that it wasn't her husband... and it wasn't any single other person that had ever been mentioned as a suspect." [21:44]

Intensifying the Case Against Kurt Forbes

As detectives focused on Kurt, inconsistencies in his alibi and growing suspicions heightened the pressure. Despite initial weak evidence, new testimonies emerged, particularly from Debbie Adelson, Kurt's fiancée at the time.

Debbie Adelson recalled the couple's relationship:
"We'd play cards, we'd go fishing, we'd go out to eat. We got to be really close friends." [14:06]

However, conflicting statements about Kurt's whereabouts and the presence of blood on his shirt complicated the case.

The Trial

In November 2010, Curtis (Kurt) Forbes stood trial for Marilyn's murder. The prosecution relied heavily on the circumstantial evidence and testimonies suggesting Kurt's presence at the crime scene.

Assistant Attorney General David Wambach emphasized:
"It's starting to look that way." [28:19]

Key testimonies included:

• Betty Klenz, a neighbor, confirmed hearing unusual noises around 3:15 AM, aligning with Cassidy's dog behavior.
  "I believe it was around 4 o' clock in the morning." [30:26]

• Debbie Adelson initially claimed to have seen blood on Kurt's shirt, a statement she later retracted during testimony.
  "I can't remember saying that and I know I didn't see it." [33:25]

Despite inconsistencies, the prosecution presented the DNA evidence linking Kurt to the crime scene.

Verdict and Aftermath

After six days of testimony and the presentation of over 45 witnesses, the jury deliberated for two and a half hours before finding Curtis Forbes guilty of first-degree murder.

Wayne Smith declared:
"We, the jury, find the defendant Curtis Forbes guilty of first-degree murder." [37:04]

Lane McIntyre expressed relief:
"Justice for Marilyn finally, finally over." [38:25]

However, the conviction left lingering doubts. Debbie Adelson continued to assert her innocence:
"I think that back then it was more they were talking about Lane." [17:39]

Kurt Forbes maintained his innocence, criticizing the reliance on circumstantial evidence:
"If you can convince them to say, I have no doubt that Kurt Forbes had blood on him and that that was Marilyn's blood... Everything else just falls in behind that." [38:54]

Closing Reflections

The episode concludes with reflections from both families and law enforcement officials. While Marilyn's family achieved a sense of closure, questions about the case's integrity and the potential for miscarriage of justice linger.

Carolyn Rahn urged perseverance:
"Don't ever give up. You are the victim's voice. She's still watching us." [41:57]

Wayne Smith credited the family's persistence:
"It's to their credit that they kept this case alive." [41:35]

The murder of Marilyn McIntyre underscores the complexities of cold cases, the evolving nature of forensic evidence, and the profound impact such tragedies have on families and communities.

Notable Quotes:

• Lane McIntyre on discovering Marilyn's body:
  "I stood in the doorway for a while. I didn't want to believe what I was seeing." [03:13]

• Carolyn Rahn on the personal toll:
  "It was hell. I turned to alcohol, My marriage failed. I wasn't there for my children." [06:06]

• Wayne Smith on the reopened investigation:
  "I made a promise to the victim's family. We will do our best at this." [20:44]

• Debbie Adelson on the trial's outcome:
  "There's never any crying." [33:54]

• Kurt Forbes on his conviction:
  "They found a guy guilty of murder." [38:25]

This episode of "48 Hours" meticulously chronicles the decades-long pursuit of justice in Marilyn McIntyre's murder, highlighting the challenges of cold case investigations and the enduring quest for truth within fractured families.