Cold Case Files – REOPENED: A Child Remembers

A&E / PodcastOne | Original Air Date: October 16, 2025
Host: Paula Barros (with narration by Brooke Giddings and classic segments featuring Bill Curtis)

Episode Overview

This episode reopens and ultimately solves the 1990 murder of Jane Thompson, a devoted single mother from Fort Worth, Texas. The case went cold for 16 years until Jane’s son, Josh—just two years old at the time of her death—offered key eyewitness testimony that reignited the investigation. Detective Manny Reyes tracks the story from its original investigation through new forensic scrutiny, persistent family advocacy, and ultimately, the arrest and conviction of the primary suspect: Jane’s ex, Bobby Woods. The episode also follows another developing cold case involving a suspected serial killer, offering gripping insight into the tireless work behind closing cold cases.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Reopening the Case: Persistent Family Advocacy

• Jane Thompson's Disappearance and Discovery ([01:01]–[02:55])
  • Jane vanished after sending her older son, Vol, to her parents’ house; she was later found beaten to death near a grocery store dumpster.
  • Jane was described as responsible, loving, and dependable; her family's suspicions were immediately raised.
• Family Pushes for Answers ([03:10])
  • Vol and Josh, Jane’s sons, reach out to Detective Manny Reyes, urging the case be reopened.
  • Reyes describes the case file: “It just seems to be falling in place as I’m reading the case itself.” ([03:25], Reyes)
• Josh’s Eyewitness Memory ([03:40]–[08:49])
  • As a two-year-old, Josh had been questioned at the time but his information was overlooked.
  • Now grown, Josh’s account remains unchanged from his childhood and becomes instrumental.

2. The Power—and Limits—of Memory

• Josh’s Account of the Murder ([07:28]–[08:49])

  • Josh recalls arguing between his parents, his father striking his mother, and then beating her with an object (“the first time I saw my dad hit my mom, and she fell... he started beating her in the head with it.” – Josh, [08:12]).

• Impact on Family

  • “We felt like we’ve grown up now and we had to take care of something that should have been taken care of a long time ago.” ([06:02], Josh)

• Detective’s Assessment ([09:30])

  • Reyes trusts the consistency and emotional authenticity of Josh’s memory, affirming that trauma at a young age can create unshakeable memories: “Can a 2-year-old remember something traumatic like that? Of course, they can.” ([10:11], Reyes)

3. New Evidence and Old Suspicions

• Re-examining Physical Evidence ([11:02]–[21:03])

  • An old towel with blood and wood chips—recovered from Bobby Woods’ vehicle after an arrest days after the murder—gets a second look.
  • The wood chips are consistent with the stock of a shotgun, matching witness statements that Jane was struck with a gun.
  • Hair samples, never previously tested, are now considered.

• Connecting Testimonies and Suspect Behaviors

  • Interview with a former associate provides confirmation: Woods boasted about the crime and the use of his shotgun ([17:04]).
  • Absence of Bobby Woods from his son’s life is noted as telling: “Too much of a coincidence that the last day your father saw you was that Friday afternoon.” ([09:30], Reyes)

4. Arrest and Confrontation

• Building the Case ([21:17]–[37:33])

  • “There’s no more investigation to be done. It’s time to arrest my suspect.” ([21:17], Reyes)
  • Reyes prepares the family for the arrest, arranges a confrontation at the station.
  • Bobby Woods is brought in; he changes his story from original police statements, a clear sign of deception ([38:07]).
  • Reyes: “If I’m ever arrested, if I’m ever questioned again in regards to Jane Thompson, this is the story that I gave, and this is the story I’m going to stick to. And it turned out that he changed it all.” ([38:07])

• Family’s Response

  • Josh on meeting his father: “I want to bust his head to the white meat, but that ain’t always the right way. I’m gonna let the people handle it like they supposed to.” ([36:17])
  • Emotional turmoil is evident as Josh recognizes his father for the first time in 16 years: “It was self-evidence to me that it was him. When I saw that, I knew it was him. I know that was the guy that I see in my head.” ([43:30])

5. Exploring the Suspect's Past

• Pattern of Violence ([46:07]–[50:17])
  • Interviews with Woods’ ex-girlfriends reveal a consistent pattern of physical abuse, previously unseen in court.
  • Ex: “He broke my collarbone... he just started choking me out.” ([48:59], Cheryl)
  • Cheryl: “When we read that in the paper, the first thing my mother said: ‘You know, that could have been you.’” ([50:17], Cheryl)

6. Family Reconnection

• Josh Meets His Half-Sister ([50:47]–[52:41])
  • Through the investigation, Josh meets his half-sister, Babette, for the first time—both children of Bobby Woods, but previously strangers.
  • “It’s a blessing. I mean, to have more people that you can care about, somebody that can care about you and somebody you can lean on.” ([52:28], Josh)
  • The emotional reunion offers a small measure of healing amid the tragedy.

7. Epilogue: Justice and Closure

• Conviction and Aftermath ([53:07]–end)
  • Woods is convicted of Jane Thompson’s murder and sentenced to 50 years.
  • During sentencing, the family addresses Woods. Josh: “I want you to know I forgive you.” ([53:07])
  • Detective Reyes: “It does make you feel good to be able to end this whole ordeal by seeing them together ... you really couldn’t ask for anything more in a case like this.” ([52:41])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the Power of Memory:

  • “Can a 2-year-old remember something traumatic like that? Of course, they can.”
    — Detective Manny Reyes ([10:11])

• On Persistent Grief:

  • “We felt like we’ve grown up now and we had to take care of something that should have been taken care of a long time ago.”
    — Josh Thompson ([06:02])

• Facing His Father:

  • “I want to bust his head to the white meat, but that ain’t always the right way. I’m gonna let the people handle it like they supposed to.”
    — Josh Thompson ([36:17])

• The Pain of Neglect:

  • “The last day your father saw you was that Friday afternoon. A blind man can see there’s something going on here.”
    — Detective Manny Reyes ([09:30])

• Forgiveness at Closure:

  • “I want you to know I forgive you.”
    — Josh Thompson ([53:07])

• Healing Through Reconnection:

  • “It’s a blessing. I mean, to have more people that you can care about, somebody that can care about you and somebody you can lean on.”
    — Josh Thompson ([52:28])

• The Detective’s Satisfaction:

  • “It does make you feel good to be able to end this whole ordeal by seeing them together... you really couldn’t ask for anything more in a case like this.”
    — Detective Manny Reyes ([52:41])

Supporting Story: The Segundo Serial Killer Case

Briefly, the episode cuts to another cold case heating up:

• Detective Reyes works on the Juan Segundo serial killer investigation, tracking down possible new victims via a photo found in Segundo’s cell ([23:03]–[31:54]).
• After publicizing a mysterious photo, relief comes when the pictured girls are identified as safe.

Segment Timestamps

• Jane Thompson Case Introduction: [01:01]
• Brothers Contact Detective Reyes: [03:10]
• Josh’s Eyewitness Account: [07:28]
• Evidence Re-examined (Towel and Wood Chips): [11:02], [19:01]
• Suspect Bobby Woods’ Past and Interview: [35:31]–[44:51]
• Emotional Family Reunion: [50:47]–[52:41]
• Conviction, Sentencing, and Forgiveness: [53:07]

Tone and Style Notes

The episode balances the determined, empathetic tone of Detective Reyes with the raw, sometimes darkly humorous directness of Jane’s sons, particularly Josh. The storytelling is compassionate yet unflinching—allowing survivors to voice hurt, hope, and resolution while underscoring both the emotional and procedural complexity of cold case investigations.

Conclusion

REOPENED: A Child Remembers is a powerful testament to the importance of persistence, both from bereaved families and those investigating cold cases. It illustrates how even the faintest surviving memories can lead to long-overdue justice, shattering the isolation of lingering grief with the support of community, family, and dedicated law enforcement. The episode ends not with total healing, but with new beginnings—proof that closure in the face of unspeakable loss is possible.