Cold Case Files: REOPENED - A Killer Named Korn

Hosted by Paula Barros | Released on April 17, 2025

Introduction

In the gripping episode titled "REOPENED: A Killer Named Korn," hosted by Paula Barros, Cold Case Files delves deep into one of America's most haunting unsolved cases. The episode chronicles the chilling murders of Ruth Dench and Dorothy Hendren, exploring how advancements in forensic technology and relentless investigative efforts finally brought justice to these tragic events.

The Tragic Murders of Ruth Dench and Dorothy Hendren

Ruth Dench's Murder

The episode opens in Hamilton County, Ohio, detailing the life and untimely death of Ruth Dench, a dedicated teacher and acting principal. On July 14, 1974, Ruth was brutally murdered in her own home. As Robert Dench, Ruth's son, recounts:

"He almost had a kind of a smirk on his face and his eyes were just. He showed no remorse, like he didn't care that he had done such a thing."
— Robert Dench [15:33]

Ruth was found with multiple stab wounds and a gardening axe lodged in her forehead, leading investigators to believe the axe was used post-mortem to mask evidence of the initial assault.

Dorothy Hendren's Attack

Five months later, another horrific crime shook the community. Dorothy Hendren, 54, was violently attacked in Jeffersonville, Indiana. During the assault, the perpetrator demanded Dorothy comply with his demands, leaving her with severe injuries. Robert Dench reflects on the brutality:

"He sat up on the washing machine and he told her to do what he wanted her to do."
— Robert Dench [10:10]

Dorothy survived the attack, providing a crucial description of her assailant, which became a pivotal lead in the investigation.

Initial Investigation and Suspect: Donald Korn

Early Suspicions

Detective Tom Deaton led the investigation into Ruth Dench's murder. Early evidence pointed to Donald Korn, a local man who had rented a property on Ruth's expansive land. Initially, Korn presented himself as a trustworthy individual with solid alibis. However, suspicions arose when Korn was charged with exposing himself to a minor a month after Ruth's murder:

"It makes you start, you know, your view of him starts to slip a little bit."
— Robert Dench [05:55]

Despite initial doubts, Detective Deaton lacked concrete evidence to link Korn directly to Ruth's death, causing the case to go cold.

Connection to Dorothy Hendren's Attack

The case took a dramatic turn when Dorothy Hendren provided a description of her attacker. Neighbour Kathy Allen revealed that the assailant resembled Donald Korn and had previously attempted to assault her:

"He knocked me down. He was on top of me, and he was trying to get my clothes off. He did get some of my clothes off, and then I started biting, and he bit me back."
— Robert Dench [12:05]

This new information prompted Detective Kemp to re-examine Korn's involvement, leading to his arrest based on Dorothy's positive identification and physical evidence found at Korn's residence, including bloody shoes and Ruth's purse.

Conviction and Legal Battles

Initial Conviction

In 1976, Donald Korn was convicted of Dorothy Hendren's rape and robbery, receiving a life sentence in Indiana. Subsequently, he was tried in Ohio for the murder of Ruth Dench, where his confession became the cornerstone of his conviction:

"Before I do this, Donald, I need to know something. Did you kill Mrs. Dench in Ohio. He said, yes, I stabbed her in the heart. Did you attack Mrs. Hendren? Yes, I did that also."
— Robert Dench [14:42]

Korn was sentenced to death in Ohio, but his legal battles were far from over.

Appeals and Overturned Conviction

Korn appealed his convictions, claiming his Miranda rights were violated. While Indiana dismissed his appeal, the Ohio Court of Appeals ruled his confession inadmissible, undermining the prosecution's case and leading to the overturning of his conviction:

"When that was done, it kind of gutted the case. I mean, that was at that time the core of the case was his confession. And without that confession, the prosecutor at the time felt that he couldn't prosecute."
— Robert Dench [17:10]

Although Korn remained incarcerated in Indiana, the inability to secure a conviction in Ohio left many questions unanswered.

Reopening the Cold Case

Detective Frank Smith's Quest for Justice

Two decades later, Detective Frank Smith revisited Ruth Dench's case, determined to secure a conviction without relying on Korn's tainted confession. Smith focused on forensic evidence, particularly the semen sample recovered from Ruth's body:

"When we opened the first packet up and we seen the slides, we knew that they were sealed. And basically we knew we had a very good chance of obtaining DNA because the evidence had been properly maintained over a period of almost 30 years."
— Robert Dench [21:52]

Although the initial DNA analysis provided only a partial match, Smith uncovered a new witness, Charles Jordan, who had observed Korn near Ruth's house on the night of the murder.

Crucial Testimony and Sister's Confession

Further breakthroughs came when Louise Amberjee, Donald Korn's sister, confessed that Korn had admitted to both murders within the family:

"My mother asked him, Donnie, did you do that? Did you kill Mrs. Dench? And what was Mr. Horn? He said, yes."
— Robert Dench [24:37]

This testimonial evidence, combined with additional forensic analysis, strengthened the case against Korn, leading to his re-indictment and eventual conviction in Ohio.

Final Verdict and Lingering Doubts

Conviction Secured

In June 2004, after meticulous preparation and presentation of evidence, Donald Korn was found guilty of aggravated murder in Ohio and sentenced to a minimum of 30 years before eligibility for parole. This verdict provided closure for the Dench family:

"Our fear was really a real fear that he would come after us and try to harm us or my daughters. And that was a real fear we had over our heads all these years."
— Robert Dench [26:37]

Unsettling Revelations

Despite the resolution of these cases, Detective Smith believed Korn may have committed additional crimes, including the 1964 murder of Esther Strayer, which remained unsolved until Smith's investigation linked Korn through DNA evidence:

"It's far from coincidence when you take an individual who rents from elderly women and they both end up dead, it's far from coincidence."
— Robert Dench [29:36]

Tragically, before DNA results could solidify this connection, Donald Korn died in prison from a heart attack in 2004. However, DNA matching posthumously confirmed his involvement in Esther Strayer's murder, providing a semblance of justice for that cold case.

Conclusion

"REOPENED: A Killer Named Korn" serves as a testament to the relentless pursuit of justice. Through unwavering dedication and advancements in forensic science, Cold Case Files highlights how even the most stubborn cases can find resolution. Paula Barros masterfully weaves the narratives of loss, perseverance, and eventual triumph, honoring the victims and the families left in the wake of such senseless violence.

Listeners are left with a profound appreciation for the complexities of criminal investigations and the enduring hope that truth, no matter how delayed, will ultimately prevail.

Notable Quotes

• "Any good investigator will try to establish a bond with a suspect, because you're not going to get the information you need and want by using some of the old tactics that the movies show in the 40s and 50s."
  — Robert Dench [14:10]

• "There's no doubt in my mind as being an experienced lawman that Donald Korn is a cold and a calculated serial killer. I think that we have probably just touched the very tip of his criminal behavior."
  — Robert Dench [27:21]

• "Our fear was really a real fear that he would come after us and try to harm us or my daughters. And that was a real fear we had over our heads all these years."
  — Robert Dench [26:37]

Production Credits

• Host: Paula Barros
• Produced by: McKamey Lynn and Steve Delamater
• Associate Producer: Julie McGruder
• Executive Producer: Ted Butler
• Music by: Blake Baples
• Distributed by: PodcastOne

For more cold cases and to explore similar stories, visit AE Real Crime Blog.