Cold Case Files Episode: DNA SPEAKS: Deadly Web of Lies Release Date: November 26, 2024 Host: Marissa Pinson
Produced by: Jeff Deray
Distributed by: PodcastOne

Summary:

DNA SPEAKS: Deadly Web of Lies delves into the harrowing 2006 murder of Scott Martinez in La Mesa, California, and the relentless pursuit of justice by his family and dedicated investigators. This episode meticulously unpacks the complexities of the case, highlighting the advancements in forensic technology that ultimately led to solving one of America's enduring cold cases.

Introduction to the Tragic Case

The episode opens with the heart-wrenching account of Scott Martinez’s daughters, Angelina and Marissa Panek, who were left orphaned after their father’s brutal murder. Angelina shares her emotional turmoil upon learning about her father's death:

"Early in the morning, there was a knock at the door, and my mom was standing there, and she said, I need to talk to you. And my mom said, angie, your daddy's dead, that he was killed. And I just fainted on the spot. I just kept saying over and over, you're lying. You guys are lying. You're wrong." (06:54)

Marissa echoes the family's anguish, describing her loss and the profound impact it had on her life:

"I was five going on six when my dad died. I always remember getting in his car when he had picked me up from school. I just tell him about my day." (06:29)

Discovery of the Crime Scene

On February 18, 2006, Martinez’s fiancée, Karen Stacy, reported him missing, prompting a 911 call that led police and fire personnel to his La Mesa apartment. Detective Ryan Grumelian recounts the shocking scene they encountered:

"He was stabbed over 30 times. Mr. Martinez did not go down easy. He did fight for his life." (01:28)

The apartment revealed signs of a violent struggle, with extensive blood spatter and a bent sword found at the scene, suggesting a personal motive behind the attack.

Initial Investigation and Leads

Detective Grumelian details the initial investigative steps, including the discovery of blood evidence leading to a preliminary DNA profile. Despite efforts to match the DNA through the CODIS database, no matches were found:

"We were very glad to have what appeared to be the suspect's blood... but there was no match." (08:33)

A significant lead emerged when a neighbor identified a white couple in a yellow Volkswagen Beetle near the crime scene. However, tracking them proved challenging, leaving investigators without a concrete suspect and the case going cold after over a year.

Reopening the Case: Breakthrough with Genetic Genealogy

Fast forward to February 2016, Detective Grumelian is assigned to cold cases and revisits Martinez’s murder. With advancements in DNA technology, genetic genealogy becomes a pivotal tool. This method allows investigators to upload unidentified DNA into public databases to find relatives of the suspect. Inspired by the Golden State Killer’s arrest using this technique, Detective Grumelian leverages genetic genealogy to identify two potential suspects: Rick Collette and Zachary Bunny.

After eliminating Collette due to lack of connection, focus shifts to Zachary Bunny, whose reluctance to provide a DNA sample initially raised suspicions. Persistent investigation reveals Bunny’s connection to Scott Martinez’s babysitter, Adira Roth, and establishes a possible motive rooted in jealousy and personal vendetta.

Arrest and Resolution

On January 10, 2019, after 13 years, Bunny is apprehended in Hillsboro, Oregon. Detective Grumelian describes the tense arrest:

"He was very calm. He looked a little bit defeated, but he did not seem surprised in any way." (32:42)

Further DNA analysis confirmed Bunny’s involvement, leading to his guilty plea of voluntary manslaughter on November 13, 2019. The episode captures the emotional closure felt by Martinez’s family, particularly Angelina, who finally sees justice served:

"As soon as they called me and told me that it was going into a cold case file, it was discouraging. There was still nothing. This guy was out on the loose." (22:11)

"I just felt like this black cloud I had been carrying around for years was just gone. I felt I could breathe again." (34:16)

Impact on the Family and Community

The resolution of the case brings a sense of relief and closure to the Martinez family, allowing them to begin healing from years of uncertainty and grief. Angelina reflects on the lasting pain of her father’s absence and the bittersweet vindication of justice:

"I didn't just lose him. I lost everything I could have had with him." (37:05)

Detective Grumelian emphasizes the importance of perseverance and the transformative power of modern forensic techniques in solving cold cases, offering hope to other families still seeking answers.

Conclusion

DNA SPEAKS: Deadly Web of Lies is a poignant testament to the enduring quest for truth and justice. Through detailed storytelling and insightful interviews, the episode underscores the significant role of DNA evidence and genetic genealogy in resolving cases that once seemed unsolvable, providing closure to those left behind.

Notable Quotes:

• Angelina Panek on discovering her father's death:
  "I just kept saying over and over, you're lying. You guys are lying. You're wrong." (06:54)

• Detective Grumelian on the crime scene:
  "He was stabbed over 30 times. Mr. Martinez did not go down easy. He did fight for his life." (01:28)

• Marissa Pinson on the impact of her father's death:
  "I was five going on six when my dad died. I always remember getting in his car when he had picked me up from school." (06:29)

• Angelina on her feelings after Bunny's arrest:
  "I just felt like this black cloud I had been carrying around for years was just gone. I felt I could breathe again." (34:16)

• Detective Grumelian on solving the case:
  "Now that I know that he is a match, it's a satisfying feeling that all the hard work and effort that I put into years in this case, that you finally have found your suspect in a cold case." (32:20)

This episode of Cold Case Files not only highlights the emotional toll of unresolved crimes on families but also celebrates the advancements in forensic science that breathe new hope into the darkest of mysteries.