Cold Case Files: "Dead West: Lovers, Lies and Canyon Murder"
Release Date: November 18, 2025
Host: Paula Barros
Episode Focus: The Life and Murder of Carolyn Jansen
Overview
This gripping episode of Cold Case Files revisits the haunting, long-unsolved murder of Carolyn Jansen, a woman who sought a new beginning in Colorado but met a tragic end. Through the persistent efforts of detectives, the dedication of family, and forensic breakthroughs, her story moves from mystery to a hard-won justice—demonstrating both the challenges and hopes in solving cold cases.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Carolyn Jansen’s Life & Disappearance
- Background & Character
- Carolyn is described as a free spirit and survivor, escaping abusive relationships by moving west.
- “She was definitely a free spirit. Nothing can bring her down. Being able to come west was an escape for her to get away from the abuse.” — John Kellner (01:27)
- Carolyn is described as a free spirit and survivor, escaping abusive relationships by moving west.
- Family’s Search for Carolyn
- Her daughter Victoria, adopted and unaware of her roots, grows determined to uncover her birth mother’s identity.
- “If I didn't know who she was, did I completely know who I was? I wanted to find her so I could find myself.” — Victoria Baker (06:20)
- Her daughter Victoria, adopted and unaware of her roots, grows determined to uncover her birth mother’s identity.
2. Discovery of Carolyn’s Body
- Finding the Storage Bin (Aurora, Colorado)
- In June 2023, Richard Johnson finds a duct-taped plastic bin emitting a foul odor, leading police to a gruesome discovery.
- “It was a fairly heavy duty rubber plastic box. The odd part of it was the amount of duct tape that was around it.” — Detective Steven Connor (05:29)
- The remains, soon identified as Carolyn Jansen, had suffered fatal blunt force trauma.
- In June 2023, Richard Johnson finds a duct-taped plastic bin emitting a foul odor, leading police to a gruesome discovery.
3. Early Investigation & Suspects
- Focus on Richard Johnson
- Johnson, who discovered the body, exhibits behavior consistent with shock but remains a person of interest due to the odd items and Carolyn’s possessions found in his crowded house.
- “They found some disturbing things... There was a mannequin in there. They found some hidden cameras in the restroom.” — Detective Steven Connor (10:10)
- Johnson, who discovered the body, exhibits behavior consistent with shock but remains a person of interest due to the odd items and Carolyn’s possessions found in his crowded house.
- Attention Turns to J.D. Harrington
- J.D. Harrington, Carolyn’s roommate and coworker at Waffle House, owned the bins. Both his and Johnson’s fingerprints are found on the bin, but physical evidence is inconclusive.
- “JD denied having anything to do with Carolyn's death.” — John Kellner (23:55)
- J.D. Harrington, Carolyn’s roommate and coworker at Waffle House, owned the bins. Both his and Johnson’s fingerprints are found on the bin, but physical evidence is inconclusive.
4. Family’s Involvement and Frustrations
- Victoria Baker’s Quest
- Victoria tracks her mother’s adopted identity and unites Carolyn’s children. They canvass Aurora, hang flyers, and exhaust every option to locate Carolyn.
- “Stop was not an option.” — Victoria Baker (02:13)
- Victoria tracks her mother’s adopted identity and unites Carolyn’s children. They canvass Aurora, hang flyers, and exhaust every option to locate Carolyn.
- Dealing with Setbacks
- The family's hope turns to despair as years pass with no resolution. Victoria feels immense guilt over not finding her mother in time.
- “Maybe if I'd stuck with it, I would have found her and I could have protected her.” — Victoria Baker (21:23)
- The family's hope turns to despair as years pass with no resolution. Victoria feels immense guilt over not finding her mother in time.
5. Breakthrough & Use of Forensic Technology
- Cold Case Revitalized
- Assigning Detective Steven Connor to cold cases and the advent of new state laws and DNA methods revitalizes the investigation.
- Forensic Advances Lead to DNA Match
- Years later, DNA is successfully extracted from the sticky side of old duct tape.
- “What I was concerned about is how old it was... could they potentially pull DNA from the sticky side of that duct tape?” — John Kellner (37:52)
- J.D. Harrington could not be excluded as the source.
- “J.D. Harrington could not be excluded... it just helped us feel confident to bring this case forward.” — John Kellner (39:00)
- Years later, DNA is successfully extracted from the sticky side of old duct tape.
6. Arrest, Trial, and Justice
- J.D. Harrington Charged
- After nearly a decade, Harrington is arrested for Carolyn's murder.
- “It was almost 10 years.” — Victoria Baker (40:28)
- After nearly a decade, Harrington is arrested for Carolyn's murder.
- Trial Highlights
- Prosecution argues that Harrington, upset over alleged stolen rent money, killed Carolyn and sealed her body in the bin.
- “A body doesn't just magically appear inside a container that's been tightly sealed with duct tape.” — John Kellner (36:04)
- Jury convicts Harrington of second-degree murder.
- “The jury convicted J.D. Harrington as charged of second degree murder for the killing of Caroline Jansen. He was ultimately sentenced to 25 years in prison.” — John Kellner (43:25)
- Prosecution argues that Harrington, upset over alleged stolen rent money, killed Carolyn and sealed her body in the bin.
7. Reflections & Emotional Impact
- Family’s Response
- Relief at the verdict is tempered by the pain of loss and justice’s long delay.
- “I remember feeling relieved that the guilty verdict brought justice to my mother's case. I honestly don't believe, however, that I will ever have closure.” — Victoria Baker (43:47)
- Relief at the verdict is tempered by the pain of loss and justice’s long delay.
- Legacy of Perseverance
- Both law enforcement and family exemplify patience and hope.
- “There's this saying about justice delayed is justice denied. And I don't buy into that...there is justice at the end of the road.” — John Kellner (44:05)
- Victoria finds personal growth through the struggle.
- “Throughout my search for my mother, I've learned that I'm stronger than I ever thought I was. But strength doesn't mean that you don't hurt. What you do with that hurt determines your strength.” — Victoria Baker (44:44)
- Both law enforcement and family exemplify patience and hope.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Colorado as Escape and Hope
- “Aurora is the kind of place you can go to reinvent yourself... Carolyn came out here to try and start a new chapter in her life. And she ended up being brutally murdered...”
— John Kellner (02:52)
- “Aurora is the kind of place you can go to reinvent yourself... Carolyn came out here to try and start a new chapter in her life. And she ended up being brutally murdered...”
- The Family’s Guilt and Grief
- “Maybe if I had found her sooner... maybe if I'd stuck with it, I would have found her and I could have protected her. I never got the opportunity to meet my mother.”
— Victoria Baker (21:21)
- “Maybe if I had found her sooner... maybe if I'd stuck with it, I would have found her and I could have protected her. I never got the opportunity to meet my mother.”
- Persistence Despite Setbacks
- “Cold didn't mean done, didn't mean it was over. And I never for one minute felt like he had forgotten.”
— Victoria Baker on Detective Connor (34:49)
- “Cold didn't mean done, didn't mean it was over. And I never for one minute felt like he had forgotten.”
- Scientific Breakthrough
- “In the early 2000s, there was not touch DNA... But now we're really dealing with a completely different technological time, with new forensic science.”
— John Kellner (37:52)
- “In the early 2000s, there was not touch DNA... But now we're really dealing with a completely different technological time, with new forensic science.”
- Trial Tension
- “You don't know what's going to happen when you ask 12 random strangers to decide somebody's guilt or innocence... it’s either get it right or it’s done.”
— John Kellner (40:55, 43:09)
- “You don't know what's going to happen when you ask 12 random strangers to decide somebody's guilt or innocence... it’s either get it right or it’s done.”
Timestamps for Important Segments
- Carolyn’s Life and Escape to Colorado: 01:27–02:52
- Discovery of the Body: 04:21–05:49
- Victoria’s Search for Her Mother: 06:20–07:17, 17:37–19:00
- Investigation at Richard Johnson’s Home: 10:10–11:30
- Police Narrow on J.D. Harrington: 23:07–24:44, 27:53–30:23
- Key Interview: Harrington's Confession to Ex-Girlfriend: 30:57–31:55
- Forensic Breakthrough and DNA Testing: 37:43–39:00
- Charging and Arrest of Harrington: 39:49–40:28
- Trial & Verdict: 41:49–43:38
- Family and Justice Reflections: 43:47–44:44
Tone & Language
The episode carries a somber tone, balancing procedural detail, familial devotion, and the emotional complexities of loss and perseverance. The narrative is compassionate, methodical, and driven by a quest for truth.
Conclusion
“Dead West: Lovers, Lies and Canyon Murder” is a testament to determination—from both detectives and grieving relatives—paired with the evolution of forensic science. It’s a poignant reminder that for some victims, justice is slow, but not out of reach. Carolyn Jansen’s story, though marked by tragedy, closes not in silence but in the fulfillment of her family’s relentless hope for answers.