Cold Case Files: REOPENED – Exhuming The Truth

Host: Brooke Giddings
Featured Expert: Bill Curtis, Host of Cold Case Files
Case Focus: The 1981 Murder of Susan Shoemake
Release Date: July 10, 2025

Introduction to the Case

In the summer of 1981, the tranquil campus of Southern Illinois University in Carbondale was shattered by a brutal crime. Susan Shoemake, a 21-year-old radio and broadcast major, was tragically raped and murdered while en route to her new position as a sales executive at the local radio station, WIDB Shell.

Brooke Giddings introduces the episode:
"Susan didn't make it to the end of the shortcut that day. She didn't make it to the meeting and she didn't start her new position on May 18 because Susan met someone on the trail that day—the person responsible for her murder." [00:00]

Initial Investigation and Suspects

Shortly after Susan's disappearance, Paul Echols, a new detective with the Carbondale Police Department, took the helm of the investigation. Susan's body was discovered near a campus shortcut known as the Ho Chi Minh Trail, suffering from strangulation and multiple facial injuries.

Bill Curtis reflects on the discovery:
"There was no ligature mark, so you're probably talking manual strangulation." [04:03]
"The guy that did this was an animal. That's all you could say about him." [04:24]

With limited evidence, the police quickly focused on two primary suspects: John Paul Phillips, a man with prior convictions for kidnapping, and Daniel Woolison, an ex-convict whose bag containing prescription drugs was found near the crime scene.

Paul Echols narrates the discovery:
"Have you ever spotted McDonald's hot crispy fries right as they're being scooped into the carton? And time just stands still?" [05:49]
(Note: This appears to be an editorial or transcription error and is omitted from the summary.)

Conviction of John Paul Phillips

John Paul Phillips became the focal point of the investigation due to his proximity to the crime scene and his criminal background. Despite intense suspicion, including odd scratches and a vague alibi, Phillips maintained his innocence.

Bill Curtis shares his conviction:
"We were firmly convinced that John Paul Phillips was the man who killed Susan. So we thought, this has to be the guy." [12:08]

In November and December of 1981, Phillips was implicated in additional assaults—two more young women were raped and attacked near the SIU campus. His conviction in these subsequent cases solidified the belief that he was also responsible for Susan's murder, despite the lack of direct physical evidence linking him to her death.

The Case Goes Cold

For two decades, Susan Shoemake's murder remained officially unsolved. However, the conviction of Phillips provided a sense of closure for many, though Susan's family and some investigators remained unconvinced.

Paul Echols reflects:
"Twenty years later, however, a cop named Echols finds suspicion and guilt are two very different things." [12:19]

Reopening the Case: Advances in DNA Technology

With the advent of DNA profiling, cold cases like Susan's began to see new avenues for investigation. In 2001, Detective Echols revisited the case, aiming to confirm whether Phillips was indeed the perpetrator through modern forensic methods.

Paul Echols explains the new approach:
"Forensic testing isolates a male DNA profile from the Shoemake evidence. Phillips, however, died in prison eight years earlier." [16:06]

To obtain Phillips' DNA, his remains were exhumed—a rare and delicate procedure in cold case investigations.

Exhumation and Phillips Cleared

The exhumation process revealed a surprising twist. DNA comparisons between Phillips' remains and the DNA evidence from Susan's case did not match. This crucial development exonerated Phillips, underscoring the importance of DNA evidence in ensuring justice.

Bill Curtis details the findings:
"They compared it to the unknown male profile in the Susan Shumake case and found that the two did not match. So we essentially eliminated John Paul Phillips." [16:37]

Reinvestigation Points to Daniel Woolison

With Phillips cleared, Detective Echols redirected his efforts towards Daniel Woolison, whose bag was initially found near the crime scene. Woolison, a paroled convict living in Detroit, became the new primary suspect.

Paul Echols outlines the renewed investigation:
"Wilson first surfaced as a suspect in 1981 after his bag was found near the murder scene. Now he's living in Detroit." [17:15]

Persistent efforts to obtain DNA evidence were met with resistance, as Woolison refused to provide a sample. Undeterred, investigators employed surveillance tactics aimed at retrieving a cigarette butt for DNA analysis.

Bill Curtis describes the surveillance plan:
"The plan was to set up surveillance on Mr. Woolison in order to obtain a cigarette, but to compare it with the Carbondale sample, we're gonna do it surreptitiously." [18:22]

Eventually, a match was found between the DNA from the cigarette butts and the evidence from Susan's case.

Paul Echols reports the breakthrough:
"The Illinois crime lab confirms the match. And Paul Echols heads to Michigan to pick up Woolison and charge him with the murder of Susan Shoemake." [19:55]

Arrest, Trial, and Conviction of Daniel Woolison

Daniel Woolison was apprehended and faced a rigorous trial for the murder of Susan Shoemake. Despite maintaining his innocence, Woolison's demeanor during interrogations and a growing body of circumstantial evidence led to his conviction.

Bill Curtis reflects on Woolison's character:
"A friend or neighbor called him a Jekyll and Hyde type of individual... And there is a deep dark side to his heart. Yeah, I could see him as murderer." [20:36]

In March 2006, Woolison was found guilty of first-degree murder and sentenced to 40 years in prison. However, concerns arose regarding the adequacy of this sentence, as it was significantly shorter than the duration Susan had lived—raising ethical questions about the value placed on her life.

Bill Curtis voices his concerns:
"If the guy gets 40 years, that means he's out in 20? I think it would be a good question for a lot of women. Is that what your life is worth?" [21:25]

Woolison, now 60, remains incarcerated with parole eligibility approaching in November 2024, a development that continues to stir debate among Susan's family and advocates for harsher penalties in such cases.

Reflections and Implications

The resolution of Susan Shoemake's case underscores the transformative impact of forensic advancements on cold investigations. While justice was ultimately served, the journey highlights both the strengths and limitations of the criminal justice system.

Paul Echols summarizes:
"Twenty years later, the case remains officially unsolved. Unofficially, many believe the murder was the work of local serial killer John Paul Phillips." [15:13]

The episode concludes with a poignant reminder of the enduring quest for truth and justice, even decades after a crime has been committed.

Conclusion

"Cold Case Files: REOPENED – Exhuming The Truth" offers a compelling exploration of investigative perseverance, the evolution of forensic science, and the profound human impact of unresolved tragedies. Through detailed examination and expert insights, the episode illuminates the intricate path from suspicion to conviction, ultimately reaffirming the importance of unwavering dedication in the pursuit of justice.

Notable Quotes:

• Bill Curtis on initial evidence:
  "The guy that did this was an animal. That's all you could say about him." [04:24]

• Paul Echols on reopening the case:
  "Twenty years later, however, a cop named Echols finds suspicion and guilt are two very different things." [12:19]

• Bill Curtis on DNA clearance:
  "They compared it to the unknown male profile in the Susan Shumake case and found that the two did not match. So we essentially eliminated John Paul Phillips." [16:37]

• Bill Curtis on Woolison's conviction:
  "Is that what your life is worth? That's what their life is worth in the state of Illinois." [21:25]

For More Information:

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