Cold Case Files Podcast Summary

Episode: REOPENED: Caught By An Eyelash
Release Date: June 12, 2025
Host: Brooke Giddings
Produced by: McKamey Lin and Steve Delamater
Executive Producer: Ted Butler
Distributed by: PodcastOne
Based on: A&E's Emmy-nominated series "Cold Case Files"

Introduction to Kiva Bible's Tragic End

In this gripping episode of Cold Case Files, host Brooke Giddings delves into the heartbreaking and perplexing murder of Keeva Bible, a 28-year-old sex worker from Garden Grove, California. The episode opens with a bleak overview of Kiva's life and mysterious death:

"I don't know who her parents were or if she had any siblings. I don't know what city she was born in or where she grew up. The only information I found about Kiva is that she was a sex worker in Garden Grove, California, and she had a drug problem."
— Brooke Giddings [00:34]

Kiva’s life was cut short the day before her 28th birthday, leaving investigators baffled with no immediate leads or witnesses.

Discovery of the Crime Scene

The episode shifts to the early hours of the morning when John Keeley, a street cop in Garden Grove, discovers Kiva's body:

"As I pulled up, I pulled down Lucille Street and right in the middle of the street was a female laying down."
— John Keeley [02:19]

Upon inspection, Keeley notes multiple stab wounds on Kiva's chest, intentionally dressed to conceal the brutality of the attack:

"She had about four or five, I think it was five, but it may have been four stab wounds. They looked like they were pretty deep and they also had some type of gauze or something shoved in them to help stop the bleeding."
— John Keeley [02:37]

This meticulous dressing suggested that the assailant intended to avoid leaving blood evidence at the crime scene.

Initial Investigation and Forensic Analysis

With no witnesses and scant evidence, the case quickly went cold. Kiva’s body was sent to the Orange County Sheriff Coroner Division for autopsy, where Dan Gammi, a trace evidence examiner, meticulously examined the scene:

"At the crime scene, the body was pretty much fully clothed, and in further examination of it, we saw that the jacket itself was fully zipped up and covering the upper chest portion of her body. Upon removing of the jacket, we then observed here that she had multiple stab wounds in the upper chest."
— John Keeley [03:32]

Gammi collected over 200 hairs from Kiva’s clothing and body, hoping to find trace evidence that could lead to the perpetrator:

"Using clear tape... looking for hairs, threads, or carpet fibers, anything that might have been left by her killer."
— Dan Gammi [04:22]

Despite these efforts, the case lacked the necessary clues to identify Kiva’s killer, leading it to be filed away as a cold case for 15 years.

The Cold Case Reopens: Breakthrough through DNA Evidence

Fifteen years later, advancements in forensic technology breathe new life into Kiva's unsolved murder. Penny Lafferty, a trace evidence analyst, identifies a single human eyelash among the collected evidence:

"It has a wide portion in the center, and it comes to a very tapered tip that indicates to me that it isn't a body. What I call a body limb hair, and it is very, very tiny. So that, to me, is descriptive of either an eyebrow or potentially an eyelash hair."
— Bill Curtis [07:14]

This eyelash, along with others, undergoes DNA profiling. Mary Hong, a DNA analyst, successfully extracts a profile from five of the hairs:

"Produced a DNA profile that was from a male and that profile I was able to enter into the database."
— Mary Hong [08:21]

The breakthrough comes when the DNA profile matches James Suknich, an ex-convict with a criminal history, including rape:

"Within a few days, the database spits back a match. The eyelash belongs to an ex con named James Suknich."
— Dan Gammi [08:52]

This revelation sends shockwaves through the Garden Grove Police Department, reigniting hopes and fears about identifying the true perpetrator.

The Investigation Deepens: Connecting the Dots

Scott Watson, a vice sergeant familiar with Kiva’s life, spearheads the reinvestigation. Initial leads point to Donald Lubers, a sex offender linked to Kiva in an unrelated case. However, interviews and evidence build doubts about Lubers’ involvement:

"When you get down to it and you start hitting them up, it's because they heard from this guy, and this guy heard from this guy... By the time you get to how the thing started, it was nothing like what you got."
— Scott Watson [06:22]

As leads towards Lubers grow unreliable, the focus shifts to the DNA match—James Suknich. Efforts to connect Suknich to Kiva's murder intensify, leading investigators to Cleveland, Ohio, to confront him.

Confrontation and Confession

During an intense interrogation in December 6th, Suknich is pressed about his connection to Kiva:

"Why do we have something that links you to this woman?"
— John Keeley [13:36]

Initially, Suknich deflects, insisting he was merely a customer among many:

"I had sex with a lot of women back then... I knew a lot of them."
— Scott Watson [14:04]

However, faced with the compelling DNA evidence, Suknich's facade begins to crumble. As detectives confront him with inconsistencies in his story, he recalls the night of the murder:

"I was fixing to go down and hold the other shoulder. And that's when Steve jumped on her across the waist."
— Scott Watson [15:20]

Suknich admits to being present during Kiva’s murder, albeit downplaying his involvement and implicating others:

"Alan went down holding her. One shoulder. I was fixing to go down and hold the other shoulder. And that's when Steve jumped on her across the waist."
— Scott Watson [19:45]

This partial confession solidifies his role in the crime, leading to his arrest and eventual conviction.

Legal Proceedings and Aftermath

On May 3, 2005, James Suknich is convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 years to life in prison:

"On May 3, 2005, James Suknich is convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 years to life in prison."
— Dan Gammi [22:55]

Suknich files appeals, challenging the sufficiency of the evidence and alleging civil rights violations due to prison conditions. Both appeals are dismissed, and he remains incarcerated, denied parole multiple times.

"John Keeley: For me working homicide, I want to make sure that the right thing gets done and whether somebody was a millionaire or whether they were a street walker like Kiva was, it doesn't make any difference. You don't deserve to get your life snuffed out like that."
— John Keeley [23:14]

The case closure brings a sense of justice for Kiva’s family, but also underscores the complexities and challenges inherent in solving cold cases.

Reflections and Conclusions

John Keeley reflects on the case, emphasizing the importance of dedication in law enforcement regardless of the victim's background:

"For me working homicide, I want to make sure that the right thing gets done and whether somebody was a millionaire or whether they were a street walker like Kiva was, it doesn't make any difference. You don't deserve to get your life snuffed out like that."
— John Keeley [23:14]

The episode concludes by highlighting the perseverance of investigators and advancements in forensic science that can bring closure to long-unsolved cases.

Additional Insights and Takeaways

• Forensic Technology's Role: The case of Kiva Bible underscores the transformative impact of DNA profiling in solving cold cases. A single eyelash, once deemed inconsequential, became the key to unlocking a 15-year-old mystery.

• Challenges in Cold Cases: The episode illustrates the hurdles in resolving cases involving marginalized individuals, such as sex workers, where leads are scarce, and societal biases may impede progress.

• Police Dedication: The relentless pursuit by detectives like Scott Watson and John Keeley exemplifies the unwavering commitment required to bring justice, even when initial investigations fall short.

• Legal Complexities: Suknich’s legal battles post-conviction shed light on the complexities of the legal system, including the difficulties in overturning convictions and addressing inmate rights.

Credits and Acknowledgments

Cold Case Files is produced by McKamey Lin and Steve Delamater, with associate producer Julie McGruder and music by Blake Maples. The podcast is distributed by PodcastOne and is based on A&E's original TV series produced by Curtis Productions.

Stay connected and learn more about this case and others by visiting A&E Real Crime Blog or follow the producers on their respective social media platforms.

Note: This summary excludes advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the investigative narrative of Kiva Bible's cold case.