Cold Case Files: "REOPENED: Innocent Prey" (November 27, 2025)

Episode Overview

This episode of Cold Case Files, hosted by Brooke Giddings, delves into a chilling series of unsolved assaults and a murder in Portland, Oregon, spanning from 1997 to 2001. The story centers on multiple young victims who were preyed upon by the same perpetrator—crimes that went unsolved for years before breakthroughs in forensic technology and relentless detective work finally led to justice. Through the victims' voices, detectives’ recollections, and forensic evidence, the episode demonstrates how cold cases can eventually be solved, offering hope to survivors and families.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Initial Attacks and Missed Connections (00:00–06:12)

Janet Cha (00:03–01:19)

• Incident: In February 1997, Janet Cha was assaulted walking home from her boyfriend's house.
• Victim Statement:

  "He asked me have I ever had sex before? And I told him no. So he said, okay, I won't make you do much." – Janet Cha (00:43)

• Investigation: Biological evidence was collected, but the case received little attention due to the lack of a named suspect.

Michelle Horst (01:19–03:19)

• Incident: Three weeks later, Michelle, age 15, was assaulted in a similar manner.
• Victim Statement:

  "That’s when he came behind me and grabbed me. I couldn’t breathe at all. I just felt like I was gonna like, literally pass out." – Michelle Horst (02:10, 02:35)

• Investigation: Another rape kit was done, but again, the case stalled.
• Detective’s Reflection:

  "During my interview...she said that she didn’t think she could identify the individual. He was a black male." – Detective Paul Larson (03:13)

Systemic Issues

• No connection made between the assaults, and sexual assault cases without suspects were deprioritized by police.
• Both victims went to the same high school yet had no idea they shared an assailant.

2. Escalation: Akilah Johnson’s Case (04:14–06:12)

• Incident: In November 1997, Akilah Johnson, age 14, was attacked on her way to school. The assailant choked her into unconsciousness and assaulted her.
• Victim’s Experience:

  "I woke up crying, bleary eyed, foggy eyed...then he was there on top of me." – Akilah Johnson (04:33)

• Sketch Attempt: Akilah met with a sketch artist but had trouble recalling the attacker’s features, as he prevented her from seeing his face.
• Forensics: DNA was extracted from her rape kit but found no matches in the state database.
• Detective’s Frustration:

  "It was disappointing...I had the hope that with the DNA evidence that we would eventually make a connection..." – Detective Ron Sturtemant and Akilah Johnson (05:59–06:09)

3. A Murder Shocks Portland: Melissa Bittler (07:30–10:43)

• Incident: In December 2001, Melissa Bittler, age 14, was found murdered and sexually assaulted near her home.
• Discovery:

  "Sexual assault was the absolute first thing that went through my mind. Seeing the body the way it was..." – Detective Cheryl Kanzler (07:56)

• Investigation: The crime scene yielded a condom wrapper and minimal sperm, leading to a DNA profile.
• Forensic Insight:

  "There appears to have been a condom used...there may have been a hole in the condom. There may have been some manual transfer in taking it off." – Forensic Scientist Terry Koons (10:17)

• Breakthrough: DNA from Melissa’s case matched Akilah’s attacker—pointing to a serial offender.

4. Connecting the Cases: Tireless Detective Work (10:43–12:53)

• Detectives revisited prior unsolved assaults, finally linking the cases of Janet, Michelle, Akilah, and Melissa by DNA.
• Renewed Urgency:

  "Again, we became more hopeful we would be able to solve this. But again, more worried. He’s out. He’s murdered Melissa. When’s he gonna strike again?" – Detective Kanzler (12:26)

5. A Critical Tip and the Breakthrough (13:13–17:17)

• April 2002—New Attack: A woman reports being sexually assaulted and strangled in her home by her cousin's boyfriend, LaDawn Stevens, whom she identified to police.

• Detective’s Analysis:

  "She would not...budge off the fact that it was LaDawn Stevens. So I was 100% behind her." – Detective Craig Yost (14:47)

• Stevens’ criminal background included sexual offenses going back two decades. Physical evidence (bite and scratch marks) matched the victim’s account.

• Detective Insight:

  "Detective Minnis said to me, you know, this guy could have done Bittler. And I said, yeah, it’s very possible." – Detective Yost (16:02)

• Stevens’ DNA was entered for comparison.

6. Scientific Confirmation & Emotional Impact (17:17–18:44)

• Lab Result:

  "I actually sat at my desk and I started to cry...and I said, it’s Bittler. She’s done." – Terry Koons (17:45)

• Stevens’ DNA matched the attacks on Melissa, Akilah, Janet, and Michelle. While a condom prevented a biological link in the most recent assault, blood found on Stevens’ underwear tied him to the case.
• Mary and Tom Bittler’s Relief:

  "It was joyful, and it was. It was done sooner than I expected." – Mary Bitler (18:36)

7. Justice Served: Trial and Sentencing (18:58–21:51)

• Criminal Charges: Stevens was charged with murder and four counts of sexual assault; the prosecution sought the death penalty.

• Key Evidence: Stevens’ own journal detailed his motivation and targeting of young girls.

  "He literally wrote...that he would target young females...it would give him the most power and the most control and the most fear..." – Prosecutor Rod Underhill (19:08)

• Trial Outcome: The jury found him guilty on all charges.

  "I just wanted to sit there all day and listen to the jurors go, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty." – Tom Bittler (20:14)

• At sentencing, 19 victims gave impact statements. Stevens was sentenced to life in prison without parole, rather than the death penalty.

  "I got to look him in the eyes and I got to let him feel my pain...constantly keeping that eye contact so he would know that I’m not frightened of you." – Akilah Johnson (20:33) "They’re just more upset that a life had to be taken to...stop him." – Michelle Horst (21:02)

• Enduring Grief:

  "Maybe Melissa was supposed to help us catch him because this community rallied...maybe she helped us catch him." – Mary Bitler (21:21)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• Victim courage:

  "I got to look him in the eyes...so he would know that I'm not frightened of you." – Akilah Johnson (20:33)

• Parental heartbreak:

  "My life ended." – Mary Bitler (08:33)

• Justice achieved:

  "It's Bittler. She's done." – Terry Koons (17:45)

• Systemic failure & perseverance:

  "We've developed hundreds of names, if not a thousand subjects of interest. So we believe that he's in there. And so now it's just a matter of trying to get to him." – Detective Weatheroy (12:53)

• Psychological insight:

  "He enjoyed seeing the fear in their faces during his attacks and that he targeted a specific gender together with a specific age because it would give him the most power and the most control..." – Prosecutor Rod Underhill (19:08)

• Sense of closure:

  "I just wanted to sit there all day and listen to the jurors go, guilty, guilty, guilty, guilty." – Tom Bittler (20:14)

Timeline of Key Segments

• 00:03–01:19: Janet Cha’s assault and investigation
• 01:19–03:19: Michelle Horst’s assault and investigation
• 04:14–06:12: Akilah Johnson’s assault and development of DNA evidence
• 07:30–10:43: Discovery of Melissa Bittler’s body and ensuing investigation
• 10:43–12:53: Linking cases by DNA, detectives develop new strategies
• 13:13–14:37: New attack leads to identification of LaDawn Stevens
• 15:07–16:45: Detectives debate whether Stevens is the serial rapist/killer
• 17:17–18:44: DNA match provides emotional closure for survivors and detectives
• 19:08–21:51: Trial, impact statements, sentencing, victim/family reflections

Conclusion

"REOPENED: Innocent Prey" is both a harrowing account of systemic failures and a testament to persistence—showing how victims and police, even after years of frustration, can achieve justice through determination, evolving forensic science, and unwavering hope. The episode’s respectful presentation of tragic events and voices of survivors underscores why cold case breakthroughs matter not just for closure, but for public safety and vindication of survivor experiences.