Cold Case Files: "Contracted to Kill"

Introduction

"Contracted to Kill," an episode of Cold Case Files hosted by Paula Barros, delves into the harrowing unsolved murder of Lee Rotatore in Council Bluffs, Iowa. This detailed exploration spans decades, highlighting the relentless pursuit of justice by detectives, the emotional toll on Lee's family, and the groundbreaking role of genetic genealogy in finally solving the case.

1. Background: Lee Rotatore

Lee Rotatore was a vibrant and well-educated woman with a passion for nature, cooking, and horse riding. Born in 1949, she pursued her studies in cooking and nutrition at the University of Wisconsin, earning a master's degree and subsequently working as a dietitian.

Greg Gonzalez, Lee's Brother ([03:16]): "Lee was the epitome of the innocent victim. She wasn't out doing anything questionable. She was a well-educated woman with a good job who came here to start a new life."

In 1978, Lee married Jerry Nemke, a man with a troubled past, and they settled in Nunicum, Michigan. Lee's dedication to her career led her to accept a promotion that required relocating 600 miles to Council Bluffs, Iowa.

2. The Murder: Discovery and Initial Investigation

On June 25, 1982, shortly after Lee began her new role as head dietician at a local facility, she was brutally murdered in her motel room at the Best Western Motel in Council Bluffs. The brutality and precision of the crime raised immediate suspicions of a professional hit.

Detective ([01:38]): "Lee was a well-educated woman with a good job who came here to start a new life and was subsequently murdered a few days later."

Greg Gonzalez ([05:35]): "In our early teens, we got into rifle shooting. ... We did go to a lot of rifle matches in town or we travel, take a car ride, sleep in the back with equipment as we're coming home."

Upon discovering Lee's body, detectives noted the lack of a struggle, a single stab wound to the heart, and signs of a possible sexual assault, although the nature of the assault remained unclear.

Detective ([07:08]): "They noted a sticky residue across her mouth and across her eyes... They also noted that the tape had been removed from her mouth as well as her eyes."

3. Initial Leads and Suspicious Elements

The investigation uncovered peculiar evidence, including crushed green floral foam in Lee's room and another location in the motel. This anomaly suggested the presence of someone familiar with floral materials, leading detectives to consider suspects linked to the floral industry.

Detective ([09:00]): "They found pieces of green foam scattered across the floor, the kind used by florists. This foam shouldn't have been there."

Additionally, eyewitness accounts described a disreputable-looking man carrying an unusual bouquet, fitting the description of someone connected to the floral business.

Detective ([11:20]): "They described the gentleman as a white male, 30s to 40s, medium build, dark hair..."

4. Suspects: Jerry Nemke and Thomas Oscar Freeman

One of the primary suspects was Jerry Nemke, Lee's husband, who had a notorious past. Convicted of murdering 16-year-old Marilyn Duncan in 1960, Jerry's release from prison in 1978 and subsequent marriage to Lee raised suspicions, especially given his employment as a floral delivery person.

Detective ([19:53]): "Jerry Nemke was 10 hours away when Lee was murdered. We confirmed he was at work until at least 10 PM and seen doing floral deliveries the next morning."

Despite his solid alibi initially clearing him, Jerry's connection to the floral foam and his tumultuous relationship with Lee kept him under scrutiny.

Ann Chin, Lee's Sister ([20:18]): "I knew that Jerry was imprisoned for murder. I know that he was working with juveniles to help keep them from becoming imprisoned. I think he had been reformed."

Another suspect was Thomas Oscar Freeman, whose body was discovered shortly after Lee's murder. Freeman was a transient truck driver with a history of violence, making him a plausible link to the crime.

Detective ([34:54]): "Based on the phone calls that were alleged to have been made to Jerry, I speculate that he may have been involved in hiring the person who killed his wife."

5. The Case Goes Cold

After six days of intensive investigation with no substantial leads, the case was shelved, joining the staggering statistic that one-third of all American murders remain unsolved. Lee's family grappled with grief and the absence of closure.

Ann Chin ([22:35]): "During family gatherings, we didn't talk about Lee as often. It was too painful to reminisce."

Greg Gonzalez ([22:44]): "The emotion of loss of family struck me and stayed with me."

6. Reopening the Case: DNA Evidence and Genetic Genealogy

Nearly three decades later, advancements in DNA technology reignited hope for solving Lee's murder. In 2011, new evidence prompted detectives to revisit the case, though initial DNA tests did not yield any matches.

Detective ([23:15]): "Once I realized that we do have a male DNA sample, my thought at the time is I need to go back, revisit the main suspects in this case."

Despite exhaustive efforts, including polygraph tests and revisiting previous suspects, the breakthrough came with the advent of genetic genealogy.

Katie Patty, Forensics Detective ([25:15]): "Our initial response was an enormous family lineage. It was literally printed out and it was six feet long along one of our detective's desks."

Enter Eric Schubert, a genealogist renowned for his success in solving cold cases through meticulous genealogical research.

Eric Schubert ([27:19]): "There's so much good that can be done here. You know, why not take a stab at it?"

With Schubert's expertise, the investigation leveraged genetic genealogy to sift through vast family trees, eventually narrowing down potential suspects.

7. Breakthrough and Conclusion: Identifying Thomas Oscar Freeman

In February 2021, genetic genealogy identified a DNA match linking Thomas Oscar Freeman to Lee's murder. Despite Freeman's subsequent death, this revelation provided crucial insights into the circumstances surrounding the case.

Detective ([30:27]): "We had a stroke of luck, and we had a kit dropped into the system by someone that we hadn't solicited it for. That match led us to a group of four brothers."

Further investigation revealed that Jerry Nemke had likely orchestrated the murder by hiring Freeman, capitalizing on their shared criminal history to execute the crime while maintaining an alibi.

Greg Gonzalez ([38:54]): "It's very possible it may have been Jerry hired Thomas for a hit. And knowing that both Jerry and Thomas are deceased, it's a tangled web out there."

Though both perpetrators are deceased, the case closure offers a semblance of justice for Lee Rotatore and serves as a testament to the power of modern forensic techniques.

Detective ([38:46]): "After a four-decade investigation, Council Bluff's police department publicly announced that Thomas Freeman is Lee Rotatori's murderer."

Greg Gonzalez ([39:07]): "The bright light in all this is the way it was solved. And hopefully, this gives hope to others that their cases can be solved."

Epilogue

"Contracted to Kill" not only recounts a tragic story of loss and justice but also underscores the evolution of investigative methods. The collaboration between dedicated law enforcement and pioneering genealogists like Eric Schubert exemplifies the relentless pursuit of truth, offering hope to families still yearning for answers in unresolved cases.

Notable Quotes

• Greg Gonzalez ([03:16]): "Lee was the epitome of the innocent victim. She wasn't out doing anything questionable. She was a well-educated woman with a good job who came here to start a new life."

• Detective ([07:08]): "They noted a sticky residue across her mouth and across her eyes... They also noted that the tape had been removed from her mouth as well as her eyes."

• Ann Chin ([20:18]): "I knew that Jerry was imprisoned for murder. I know that he was working with juveniles to help keep them from becoming imprisoned. I think he had been reformed."

• Greg Gonzalez ([22:44]): "The emotion of loss of family struck me and stayed with me."

• Eric Schubert ([27:19]): "There's so much good that can be done here. You know, why not take a stab at it?"

• Detective ([30:27]): "We had a stroke of luck, and we had a kit dropped into the system by someone that we hadn't solicited it for. That match led us to a group of four brothers."

• Greg Gonzalez ([39:07]): "The bright light in all this is the way it was solved. And hopefully, this gives hope to others that their cases can be solved."

Cold Case Files: "Contracted to Kill" exemplifies the intricate dance between memory, evidence, and technology in unraveling the darkest of mysteries. It serves as a poignant reminder that perseverance and innovation can bring long-awaited closure to unresolved tragedies.