Cold Case Files: REOPENED – Cat and Mouse
Hosted by Paula Barros on A&E / PodcastOne | Released May 1, 2025
Introduction to the Case
In the episode titled "REOPENED: Cat and Mouse," Cold Case Files delves into the mysterious death of Alma Napier, a 40-year-old woman from a small town in California. Initially ruled as a tragic accident, Alma’s case remained unsolved for decades until new evidence and persistent investigators brought it back into the spotlight.
The Tragic Night: Alma Napier’s Death
Alma Napier's life took a fatal turn on the night of March 25, 1980. Alma had decided to visit a pub in Winchester, a nearby town, not for the alcohol but to engage in her favorite pastime—playing pool. The bar was bustling well into the early hours, but Alma found herself embroiled in a disagreement with the bartender, followed by an altercation with a stranger. The exact cause of the dispute remains unknown, as Alma never disclosed the details to anyone. Tragically, this conversation would be her last.
At approximately 3 a.m. on March 26, Patrolman Steve Perlesnik responded to a distress call regarding an accident on Highway 79. Only one car was involved, and it was still smoldering from a recent fire.
Steve Utter [01:43]: "It was on its roof, as I recall. It had been on fire. The female driver had been thrown loose from the accident and just real dark, foggy, remote and quiet."
Upon arrival, Perlesnik found Alma lying face down about 15 feet from her vehicle. Despite checking her vital signs, it was clear that Alma had perished. Identification was difficult to locate due to the car’s condition and the intensity of the fire.
Steve Utter [02:14]: "No ID or anything. And later on, with further checks, they got our name and address. Alma Napier here, out of Nuevo area, which is locally here."
The local community received minimal information, with only a brief mention in the newspaper titled "Car Flips. Woman Killed," which provided scant details about the incident. Alma's death was swiftly categorized as an accident, a common fate that left many cold cases unresolved.
Brooke Giddings [02:27]: "Her autopsy showed no signs of alcohol, but that didn't stop her death from being ruled an accident. It was late and dark and she'd been coming home from a bar. It was sad, but not uncommon. The case was closed and filed under accidents and effectively forgotten."
Parole Violations and a Suspicious Man: Craig Miller
Fast forward to 1996, Craig Miller, a parolee convicted in 1982 for molesting his stepdaughter, caught the attention of his parole officer, Agent Nakaneh. Despite his seemingly perfect demeanor, Agent Nakaneh sensed inconsistencies in Miller’s behavior.
Agent Nakaneh [03:44]: "He was too good, too perfect. I have been doing this job 28 years, and I have seen all kinds, and I just didn't feel it was all there. Something was missing."
Suspicious of Miller's claims of living with his parents, Agent Nakaneh conducted a home visit. The immaculate condition of Miller’s environment raised more red flags.
Agent Nakaneh [04:08]: "The room was too clean, too perfect. The bed was immaculate."
Trusting his instincts, Agent Nakaneh devised a subtle test by placing a pen on Miller’s pillow and observing. A week later, the pen remained untouched, indicating that Miller was not residing where he claimed.
Agent Nakaneh [04:52]: "You can't confront him, because if you confront him, he knows you are onto him and he's going to start covering his track."
Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Agent Nakaneh enlisted the help of Special Agent Steve Utter to surveil Miller.
Steve Utter [05:09]: "We followed him from town to town. He had a young male juvenile with him for some reason, which was a concern to us. And once we completed the surveillance, we had enough violations. Based on his companion, the young juvenile male, and the fact that he was obviously living somewhere other than what he had registered, we had enough to arrest him for parole violations."
Despite the seriousness of Miller’s parole violations, the judicial system only sentenced him to seven years for violating sex offender registry laws, a decision that Utter passionately disagreed with.
Steve Utter [05:51]: "I felt that a life sentence in Craig Miller's case was appropriate, and I was very frustrated with the decision in the court. I looked at this guy's background, his psychological profile, his past offenses, and I felt that he was a very dangerous person."
Uncovering the Truth: Barbara’s Letter
Determined to pursue justice, Agent Utter revisited Miller’s file and discovered a pivotal piece of evidence—a letter from Miller’s ex-wife, Barbara, who had endured severe abuse at his hands.
Steve Utter [06:18]: "He [Miller] killed this woman, and everybody thinks it was an accident."
Barbara’s harrowing account detailed Miller’s violent tendencies and, crucially, her claim that he confessed to a homicide. This revelation prompted Utter to investigate further, ultimately linking Miller to Alma Napier’s death.
Connecting the Dots: Linda Parrott’s Testimony
Agent Utter sought out Linda Parrott, a former waitress at the Winchester Inn, who was present on the night Alma Napier was killed. Linda's account provided the missing pieces needed to solidify the case against Miller.
On May 22, 1998, Agent Utter, along with Detective Bob Creed and District Attorney Levine, interviewed Linda.
Linda Parrott [14:50]: "I don't remember if he mentioned car accident or I had mentioned something about a car accident. But anyway, the word car accident, and I knew. Tell you exactly what happened. I mean, I'm brain dead, but I'm not that brain dead. Craig Miller."
Linda recounted how, on March 25, 1980, Craig Miller and his friend Mark Ackerman were at the Winchester Inn when they noticed a woman (Alma Napier) having an altercation at the pool table. The situation escalated when Miller began persistently following and tailgating Alma’s car, culminating in her vehicle flipping and catching fire.
Linda Parrott [16:10]: "As we were going up Simpson Road, we noticed that somebody was behind us with their headlights off. So Craig went on up the road, and he flipped a U-turn to where his headlights were shining on the car. And we saw it was her."
Her detailed description mirrored Barbara’s account, providing compelling evidence against Miller.
The Arrest and Conviction of Craig Miller
Armed with corroborative testimonies from Barbara and Linda, Agent Utter moved swiftly to arrest Craig Miller. He was charged with second-degree murder and subsequently found guilty, receiving a sentence of 15 years to life.
Barbara [18:48]: "I feel better that he's off the street. He doesn't belong on the street, because anytime he's on the street, he's going to hurt somebody. As far as justice, you can't take back the things he's done. You can't fix any of the damage that he's done. You can't bring back the murder victim. So in my mind, it's not justice."
Despite Miller’s incarceration, both Barbara and Linda expressed lingering anguish and a sense of incomplete closure.
Linda Parrott [19:25]: "Is it over with? No, I don't feel that it's over with. Not as far as I'm concerned. I can only speak for myself because I still deal with a lot of issues. I still deal with Craig and that night. You know, it's not something that just it doesn't go away. So the longer you wait to tell somebody, the longer it takes to get over it."
Agent Utter’s Reflection and Legacy
Agent Steve Utter emphasized the importance of Barbara and Linda's bravery in coming forward, which was instrumental in solving the cold case.
Steve Utter [20:00]: "Without Linda's statement, I would not have been able to corroborate Barbara's statement. Without the letter, none of this would have happened at all. That letter got things started. I think there was a lot of bravery on the part of both Barbara and Linda to come forward and be honest. And I think those things combined and made that case."
Craig Miller remains incarcerated in California, with parole denied in both 2014 and 2017. His next parole hearing is scheduled for April 9, 2020.
Conclusion: The Ripple Effect of Justice
"REOPENED: Cat and Mouse" underscores the relentless pursuit of justice by dedicated investigators and the profound courage of victims who speak out. While the conviction of Craig Miller brought some semblance of justice, the emotional scars endured by Barbara and Linda highlight the enduring impact of unresolved trauma. This case serves as a testament to the critical role of perseverance and technological advancements in solving cold cases that once seemed unsolvable.
Produced by McKamey, Lynn and Steve Delamater. Associate Producer: Julie McGruder. Executive Producer: Ted Butler. Music by Blake Maples. Distributed by PodcastOne.