Dead West: The Death of Lavender Doe – A Detailed Summary

Podcast: Cold Case Files
Host: Paula Barros
Episode: Dead West: The Death of Lavender Doe
Release Date: May 6, 2025

Introduction

In the gripping episode titled "Dead West: The Death of Lavender Doe," Paula Barros delves into one of Gregg County, Texas's most haunting unsolved murders from 2006. This case, notable for its complexity and the eventual breakthroughs achieved through forensic technology and dedicated investigative work, highlights the challenges law enforcement faces in solving cold cases. With over 100,000 cold cases in America and only about 1% solved, Lavender Doe's story stands out as a testament to perseverance and technological advancement in criminal investigations.

Discovery of the Body

The Fateful Morning

On October 29, 2006, Gregg County locals discovered the charred remains of a young woman beneath the flames of an oil well fire. The discovery was made by two individuals heading to a target shoot, who initially mistook the burning body for a mannequin:

Eddie Hope ([03:24]): "When the target shooters came down, they had smelled smoke and they saw a fire. Really? They noticed what, you know, one of them thought was a mannequin burning. Of course, it was a couple days prior to Halloween, but upon closer inspection, they saw it was a human body."

Initial Investigation

Assistant District Attorney Tanya Reed emphasized the importance of understanding the victim's background to move forward with the case:

Tanya Reed ([01:48]): "As an investigator, you have to know who the victim is, what her age is, who her family is."

Despite the severity of the crime scene—98% of the body burned with no identification—the initial autopsy provided critical details:

Eddie Hope ([05:03]): "She was five'four, fairly petite, believed to be white, possibly Hispanic, with sandy blonde and reddish hair. She had bruising around her throat which could be consistent with strangulation. There was a lack of carbon found in her lungs, suggesting she might have been killed elsewhere and brought to this location."

The Investigation and Initial Leads

Establishing Identity

With minimal clues, law enforcement employed traditional methods such as media outreach, flyers, and missing person reports to identify Lavender Doe—a nickname inspired by the distinctive lavender sweater she was wearing:

Missy Koski ([07:21]): "The lavender sweater being a pretty color made me think that this is a girl who cared about her appearance."

Despite these efforts, several potential leads, including Brandy Wells, were pursued but eventually dismissed after dental records did not match:

Tanya Reed ([10:18]): "Brandy Wells' dental records were compared to Lavender Doe's, and it was determined not to be a match."

Community Involvement and Emotional Impact

The community's response was profound, with locals like Amanda Gad and Bobby Hodges sharing their personal connections and grief:

Amanda Gad ([11:04]): "This is my baby sister. I wanted to be able to protect her. I never realized how hard it was going to be."

Bobby Hodges ([01:06] & [11:26]): "She was my best friend in high school. Dana was a very friendly person... I wanted to save her, and I couldn't save her."

Joseph Wayne Burnett: The Prime Suspect

Linking the Crime

Four months post-discovery, a breakthrough occurred when the semen sample from Lavender Doe matched Joseph Wayne Burnett in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS):

Eddie Hope ([13:13]): "Joseph Burnett's occupation was painting oil wells. Burnett was a local sex offender."

Burnett's connection deepened as investigators uncovered his failure to register as a sex offender, leading to his arrest on unrelated charges initially.

The Confession

Under polygraph examination, Burnett exhibited deceptive behavior, heightening suspicions:

Eddie Hope ([17:54]): "Polygraphs aren't admissible in court, and they were going to need more physical evidence or a confession."

Eventually, Burnett confessed to the murder of Phylicia Pearson, another victim, but initially denied involvement with Lavender Doe:

Joseph Burnett ([22:25]): "I guess I want to say. I really want to come clean. I did do it, okay?"

Upon further interrogation, Burnett recounted the events leading to Lavender Doe's death, albeit with inconsistencies:

Joseph Burnett ([24:04] & [24:54]): "Y'all really don't know who she was, her name, or where she was from... We ended up getting to it. ... I put it around her neck, and I tightened it up maybe 20, 30 seconds, and she was dead."

Breakthrough: The DNA Doe Project

Reviving the Case

Eleven years after the initial investigation, Lieutenant Eddie Hope revisited the case, leveraging advancements in DNA technology and collaborating with the DNA Doe Project:

Eddie Hope ([19:06]): "DNA technology was changing daily... I felt doing the DNA was a good avenue to go down to identify who our victim was."

Identifying Lavender Doe

Through investigative genetic genealogy, the DNA Doe Project identified Lavender Doe as Dana Lynn Dodd. The project's meticulous research traced Dana's lineage back to relatives in East Texas:

Missy Koski ([27:20]): "I thought to myself, this is it. We solved the case. We found Lavender's mother."

Confirmation of Dana's identity brought both closure and renewed grief to her family and friends:

Amanda Gad ([34:10]): "Lieutenant Hope... Lavender Doe was Dana, that it was my sister. It was just like everything around me just stopped... Now we know who did this. Now we expect punishment."

The Aftermath and Reflections

Legal Proceedings

In December 2020, Joseph Burnett faced charges for the murders of Dana Dodd (Lavender Doe) and Phylicia Pearson. Despite his confession, Burnett initially pled not guilty but eventually accepted a plea agreement, receiving a sentence of 50 years for each case:

Tanya Reed ([37:16]): "Joseph Burnett was charged with two homicides..."

Amanda Gad ([37:29]): "I wanted him to suffer more... He's eligible for parole. Once he comes up for that, I plan to be there every step of the way."

Emotional Closure

The resolution of Lavender Doe's case provided a semblance of closure to the grieving families, though the pain of loss remains palpable:

Bobby Hodges ([40:21]): "I feel like her soul is finally put to rest. I'm just glad that she was finally found..."

Amanda Gad ([40:49]): "We chose to leave Dana buried in Longview because I felt like that's where she belonged... She's home, you know, that's where she's at in a community that loves her."

Lingering Questions

Despite the case being officially closed, questions linger about Lavender Doe's circumstances leading up to her tragic end, particularly concerning potential involvement in human trafficking:

Eddie Hope ([38:50]): "What goes through my mind is that she got involved in some human trafficking... They end up putting them in store. Fleecy motels they're around, the drunks, prostitutes, the narcotic users."

Conclusion

"Dead West: The Death of Lavender Doe" is a poignant exploration of a cold case that underscores the vital role of community involvement, technological advancements, and relentless perseverance in solving complex murders. Through heartfelt testimonies and meticulous investigative work, the episode not only sheds light on the harrowing journey to justice but also honors the memory of Dana Lynn Dodd, ensuring her story transcends the shadows of her untimely death.

Notable Quotes:

• Eddie Hope ([03:24]): "When the target shooters came down, they had smelled smoke and they saw a fire... they saw it was a human body."

• Tanya Reed ([05:57]): "It's pure evil."

• Bobby Hodges ([11:26]): "Dana was a very friendly person... I wanted to save her, and I couldn't save her."

• Amanda Gad ([34:10]): "Now we expect punishment. He's not a person. He's a monster."

• Missy Koski ([27:14]): "I thought to myself, this is it. We solved the case. We found Lavender's mother."

This detailed account of Lavender Doe's case not only highlights the intricate nature of criminal investigations but also pays tribute to the victims and the unwavering dedication of those seeking justice.