Cold Case Files (A&E / PodcastOne)

Episode: REOPENED: The Woman In The Woods

Date: February 19, 2026
Host/Narrator: Marisa Pinson

Episode Overview

This episode explores the nearly fifty-year-old unsolved murder of Jody Loomis, a 20-year-old woman from Snohomish County, Washington, who was found sexually assaulted and shot in the woods in 1972. The story details the original investigation, periods when the case went cold, and the extraordinary breakthrough using forensic genealogy that finally identified her killer, Terrence Miller, decades after the crime. The episode weaves together family anguish, persistent detective work, and technological advances in forensics leading up to a bittersweet closure.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Discovery of the Crime and Early Investigation

• Setting: August 23, 1972, Snohomish County, WA. Jody and her sister Jaina part ways to visit friends and their horse. Jody is last seen cycling alone.
• The Crime Scene:
  • At about 5:30pm, a young couple finds Jody, barely alive, on a wooded road (03:00).
  • Notable detail: A dime found near Jody’s body, referencing her mother’s instruction to "always carry a dime for a phone call" (02:20).
  • Jody succumbs to her injuries at the hospital without ever regaining speech.

"She was on her back wearing a pair of knee-length socks, boots and bikini style underwear. A dime on the dirt glistens in the afternoon sun and there's a wound on the right side of her head." — Narrator (02:44)

• First Suspects: The Rice family, who owned the land nearby, are questioned heavily and initially viewed with suspicion (04:43, 13:28).

2. Jody Loomis: The Victim

• Personal Remembrances:
  • Jody is described as compassionate, animal-loving, and strong-willed.

“She loved animals, loved outdoors, and very quick to defend anybody or any animal that she felt was being abused…” — Jody’s friend, Pat Wieland (07:41)

• Family recounts her interventions for animal welfare, exemplifying her empathy and courage (07:58).

3. Failures and Frustrations in the Early Investigation

• Autopsy & Forensics (05:10):
  • Findings: Jody was sexually assaulted and shot with a .22 caliber firearm.
  • Challenges: No DNA technology existed, limiting investigative avenues.
• Initial Suspects Ruled Out:
  • Jody’s fiancé, Jim, is cleared with a solid alibi; the Rice family eventually as well (10:58, 22:05).
• Other Leads:
  • Biker gang link and firearm analysis dead-end (15:13–15:34).
  • Consideration of Ted Bundy as a suspect; ultimately, MO does not fit (16:00–17:26).

"Serial killers are human beings, and human beings are creatures of habit." — Pathologist (17:26)

4. Case Grows Cold

• Family’s determination to keep the case alive is highlighted; Jody’s room is kept unchanged (17:35).
• Discusses the emotional toll on the family, particularly her sister Jaina (06:40, 34:40).

5. Revival through Forensic Science

• Advancements in 2005–2008:
  • Cold case unit attempts DNA testing on preserved evidence. After disappointment at the loss of original samples, a key sample is found on Jody's boot, containing 25 spermatozoa (19:26).

"May 15, 2008 was one of my greatest days as a detective." — Forensic Expert (19:26)

• DNA Profile Frustration:
  • Profile does not match anyone in CODIS. Investigators proceed to eliminate past suspects.
  • Testing includes Rice family, barn owner, and biker gang associates—all ruled out (21:28–23:33).

6. Breakthrough via Forensic Genealogy (2018)

• Forensic Genealogy:

  • Detective Scharf uses public DNA genealogy databases, working with a genealogist to build a family tree from partial matches—analyzing 58 hours to narrow it down to the Miller family sons (25:01–25:55).
  • Terrence Miller stands out due to his history of sexual offenses (25:55).

• Obtaining Miller's DNA:

  • Undercover officers collect a coffee cup from Miller, secure a match with the crime scene DNA (26:22–26:55).

“You're just like, yes, you know who did it. Now and this person's still alive.” — Jaina, Jody’s sister (26:55)

7. Building the Case & Trial

• Investigators reconstruct Miller’s life, connect him to Snohomish County, and discover community ties (27:23–28:09).
  • Undercover operation reveals Miller is aware of law enforcement advances (28:27).
• Arrest & Charges:
  • Miller arrested April 2019, denies knowing Jody or having sex with her (29:21–30:06).
• Pre-trial Challenges:
  • Passage of time means many key witnesses and original investigators are dead (30:38).
• Unexpected Event:
  • Miller makes bail, returns home, causing fear for Jody’s family (31:47–31:56).
• Trial Outcome:
  • Trial proceeds; Miller is stone-faced throughout. During jury deliberations, Miller commits suicide using a .22 handgun—the same caliber as Jody’s murder weapon (32:06–33:08).

8. Aftermath and Reflections

• Jury convicts Miller posthumously, but family is denied the closure of seeing him face full justice.

“I wanted the Loomis family to see Miller convicted. I wanted them to see him be handcuffed and led from the courtroom. He took that from them.” — Detective/Investigator (34:14)

• Jody’s sister Jaina emphasizes the importance of hope, perseverance, and helping other families (34:40–35:30).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “How could somebody in a split moment decide, I'm going to rape that person and then I'm going to take their life. That's a mind that you wonder, what else have they done?” — Jaina, Jody’s sister (08:36)
• “That was our lucky day.” — Jaina, on the case being reopened (18:09)
• “We actually do have what we need to solve this case. It was wonderful.” — Forensic Expert, on the DNA breakthrough (19:26)
• “We need to learn from what happened to Jody and try and make it to where we take care of other families that are going through this, of not knowing and try to help. That's what Jody would want.” — Jaina, closing words (34:40)

Timestamps for Critical Segments

• 01:28–02:44 – Discovery of Jody Loomis’ disappearance and body
• 05:10–08:59 – Forensic findings and victim background
• 13:21–15:34 – Early suspects: Rice family, biker gang, Bundy consideration
• 18:09–20:29 – Cold case unit and DNA on the boot
• 25:01–26:55 – Forensic genealogy leads to Terrence Miller and DNA match
• 29:36–31:56 – Miller’s arrest, pre-trial, release, and family fear
• 32:06–33:34 – Trial, Miller’s suicide, and verdict
• 34:40–35:30 – Reflections from Jody’s sister Jaina

Tone and Language

The episode maintains a reflective, compassionate, and methodical tone, focusing on the emotional impact for the Loomis family and the dogged determination of investigators despite decades of setbacks.

Summary for New Listeners

This episode of Cold Case Files tells the harrowing and ultimately hopeful story of how one young woman’s murder haunted a family and community, defied traditional investigative work for decades, but was finally resolved thanks to familial tenacity and modern forensic science. The journey blends heartbreak, resilience, and the triumph of dogged persistence—even if closure arrives in an unexpected and bittersweet form.