American Homicide: S1E24 – The South Louisiana Serial Killer, Part 1

Release Date: April 3, 2025

Introduction

In the gripping episode titled "The South Louisiana Serial Killer, Part 1" from the first season of American Homicide, host Sloane Glass delves into a series of chilling murders that shook the Baton Rouge community. Through meticulous storytelling and insightful interviews, the episode unravels the mysterious case of a serial killer who operated with unnerving precision, leaving law enforcement baffled and the public terrified.

Overview of the South Louisiana Serial Killer Case

The episode centers around a serial killer who targeted women in their homes across South Louisiana, particularly near the sprawling campuses of Southern University, A&M College, and Louisiana State University (LSU) in Baton Rouge. Over a span of more than a year, at least four women were brutally murdered, each meeting the same horrific fate: strangulation and sexual assault without any signs of forced entry.

Details of the Victims

1. Gina Greene

Gina Greene, a 40-year-old nurse living alone, was the first victim to spark fear in the community. Discovered in her bed by a concerned colleague, Gina showed no signs of forced entry, making her murder all the more perplexing.

David McDavid (Prosecutor Dana Cummings): "Gina Green... There wasn't, like, a jilted ex-boyfriend that they suspected or anybody that had a reason to kill Gina Green. She was well loved and respected, and there was just no reason to think that somebody had it out for her."
[04:32]

An unusual clue surfaced when investigators found a bloodstain on Gina's shirt that did not match her DNA. However, due to the limited DNA database at the time, no match was found, leaving the case unsolved and the community on edge.

2. Murray Pace

Just a month after Gina's murder, Murray Pace, a 22-year-old graduate student at LSU, was found brutally attacked in her new apartment. Like Gina, Murray showed no signs of forced entry, and the manner of her death mirrored Gina’s—strangulation and sexual assault.

David McDavid: "She had been just beaten to death."
[07:31]

A crucial lead emerged when a mysterious man had knocked on Murray's door a day before her murder, claiming to be looking for someone else. Despite her unease, Murray did not report the incident to the police, leaving investigators with another perplexing clue.

3. Pam Kennemore

Three days after the police announced that DNA linked the first two murders, Pam Kennemore, a 44-year-old woman from just outside Baton Rouge, vanished from her home. Her car was found in the driveway, and her possessions were left behind, including her keys dangling from the door lock.

David McDavid: "There was a rug. And this rug had a blood spot on it. Well, several blood spots on it... I got him, I got him. He's there, he's there."
[13:47]

Pam’s body was later discovered at Whiskey Bay, an area notorious for frequent murders. The evidence suggested she was strangled and sexually assaulted, consistent with the modus operandi of the suspected serial killer.

4. Danae Colomb

Danae Colomb, a 23-year-old army reserve member, became the fourth victim, raising alarm as she was the first known case involving a Black woman, breaking the previous pattern of victimization.

David McDavid: "Pam Kennemore was kidnapped from her home. She was beaten and she was raped. And again, no signs of forced entry."
[15:43]

Danae’s disappearance was linked to her last known activity at her mother's grave, adding another layer of complexity to the case.

5. Carolyn Yoder

The fifth victim, Carolyn Yoder, a 23-year-old graduate student at LSU, was found in the same eerily quiet area near Whiskey Bay. Her murder mirrored the previous cases, renewing public fear and frustration.

Dana Cummings: "She was found in the same Whiskey Bay area where Pam Kennemore's body was found. And similar set of circumstances."
[29:26]

Investigation Efforts

Initial Clues and DNA Evidence

The police had one significant lead: DNA evidence from the bloodstains found at each crime scene pointed to the same individual. However, the limited DNA databases of the early 2000s meant that matching the DNA to a suspect was challenging.

Melinda Dellott: "With no suspects, the police made no arrests, which rattled LSU students and their parents."
[06:02]

Eyewitness Testimony and Its Limitations

A pivotal moment in the investigation came from an eyewitness account. A truck driver reported seeing a nude woman slumped against a white truck near Whiskey Bay around the time Pam Kennemore disappeared. Initially, the description was vague, leading to the broad suspicion of any white man driving a white truck.

Dana Cummings: "Somebody who was driving saw a woman slumped against the door of a white truck."
[19:30]

Hypnosis and Reconstruction of Suspect's Profile

In a controversial move, law enforcement decided to use hypnosis to help the witness recall more details. This method, though debated in its reliability, provided additional information about the truck and the suspect's appearance.

Melinda Dellott: "They hypnotized the witness. It might sound insane, a lot of people felt that way, but it got them somewhere."
[25:56]

The refined profile described the suspect as a white male between 25 and 35 years old, physically strong but awkward around women, and possibly facing financial issues. Despite this detailed profile, it did little to narrow down the vast pool of potential suspects.

DNA Dragnet and Challenges

The police initiated a DNA dragnet, swabbing thousands of men’s DNA samples in an attempt to find a match. This process was time-consuming and often led to false accusations and heightened paranoia in the community.

Dana Cummings: "They did a DNA dragnet at the time, and they swabbed all these men. I think it was nearly 1,000."
[21:22]

Public Response

Fear and Community Impact

The murders created an atmosphere of fear and suspicion, especially around the LSU campus. The community was on high alert, with parents anxious about their children’s safety and students wary of their surroundings.

Dana Cummings: "Everybody had theories about who it could be. But clearly the thought that somebody might just be wearing a uniform... became one of the theories that stuck for a while."
[15:57]

Misidentification of Suspects

The emphasis on the suspect being a white man in a white truck led to widespread misidentification and stigmatization. Many innocent individuals faced unwarranted suspicion, leading some to alter their appearance to distance themselves from the profiles described.

Dana Cummings: "People were nervous about white men in white trucks. The only way for these guys to prove they didn't do it was to offer up a sample of their DNA."
[21:22]

Unique Investigation by Zachary Police Department

A breakthrough occurred when detectives from the small town of Zachary, Louisiana, recognized similarities between the Baton Rouge cases and their own unsolved murders. Detective David McDavid and his team presented their findings to the larger task force, suggesting a possible connection that had been overlooked.

Detective David McDavid: "We told them what we had. I said, look, I'm telling you something. If he knows he's about to be caught, he's probably going to kill again. I need to find him."
[32:05]

Despite initial skepticism from the Baton Rouge task force, the detectives from Zachary persisted, ultimately contributing crucial pieces that would lead to solving the case—a story that unfolds in the episode's conclusion.

Conclusion and Cliffhanger for Part 2

As the investigation progressed with mounting pressure and escalating violence, American Homicide sets the stage for the next installment by revealing that a small-town police department held the key to apprehending the elusive killer. The episode concludes with a promise to uncover how Detective McDavid and his team cracked the case in the following episode, leaving listeners eager for the resolution.

Notable Quotes

• Gilbert King (Son of Jeremy Lynn Scott):
  "Every time I hear about my dad, it's, oh, he's a killer. He's just straight evil."
  [00:09]

• Annal Pace (Mother of Murray Pace):
  "If she endured it, I need to know what happened to her. I need to know exactly what happened to her."
  [10:04]

• Detective David McDavid:
  "She was, like, uncomfortable. But it didn't disturb her to the level that she was just really calling the police or anything."
  [09:18]

Closing Thoughts

This episode of American Homicide meticulously charts the fear and frustration surrounding the South Louisiana Serial Killer case, highlighting the complexities of investigating a methodical murderer operating within a tight-knit community. With expert interviews and detailed narrative, Sloane Glass provides an engrossing account that underscores the relentless pursuit of justice in the face of uncertainty.

For more insights and the conclusion of this riveting case, stay tuned to the next episode of American Homicide.