Cold Case Files: REOPENED: Office Politics
Date: October 23, 2025
Host: Paula Barros
Podcast: Cold Case Files (A&E / PodcastOne)
Episode Overview
This episode revisits the chilling 1989 murder of Sharon Bloom, a dedicated employee at Minnesota’s 3M Worldwide, who tragically became the target of escalating workplace harassment. After her sudden disappearance and the subsequent discovery of her body, investigators struggled with scarce evidence and dead ends—until advances in forensic technology years later finally broke the case open. The episode chronicles the persistent efforts of law enforcement, the profound impact on Sharon’s loved ones, and a long-awaited resolution decades after the crime.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Harassment and Disappearance of Sharon Bloom
- Escalating Hostility: Sharon Bloom, 38, endowed with a recently-earned promotion, became the victim of workplace pranks that evolved into targeted harassment—missing personal items, sabotaged documents, and more.
- “One day she came home and was in tears and her reaction was what could I have done to somebody that could cause them to hate me so much?” — David Cofode, Sharon’s boyfriend [00:57]
- The Day Sharon Vanished: On November 2, 1989, after a typical morning in the office, she was seen leaving for lunch but then disappeared. Her car remained in the company parking lot, and repeated calls to her desk went unanswered.
2. Early Investigation and Suspicions
- Immediate Concerns: Despite Sharon missing only a short while, her boyfriend’s proactive efforts led to the upsetting discovery that her car was still at work.
- Red Flags: Lead Investigator Hines immediately sensed foul play, given Sharon’s abandoned car and missing status.
- “That was the first strong indication from my perspective anyway, that there was something else involved here.” — Investigator Hines [02:55]
- Workplace Rivalry: Attention soon gravitated to Stephen Zanter, a coworker and failed contender for Sharon’s promotion, who provided a questionable alibi no one could confirm.
- "He offered us an alibi right away, but it was an alibi that wasn't alibi ing him. It was an alibi that made no sense." — Investigator Hines [04:02]
- “We have a guy who's a problem. We have a guy who others think could be capable of harassment. He's given us an alibi that is just really, well, lame.” — Investigator Hines [05:02]
3. The Discovery of Sharon’s Body
- Grim News: One week after her disappearance, Sharon’s body was found in a cornfield 50 miles from the city.
- “She obviously had trauma, and beyond that, there was no sign of any struggle. It had looked as if she had just been placed there.” — Sgt. Barry Cummins [09:28]
- Evidence suggested sexual assault, and hairs at the dump site that did not belong to Sharon were collected.
4. Zanter’s Disturbing Reaction
- Confrontation and Collapse: When told of Sharon’s death, Stephen Zanter broke down dramatically, behaving catatonically—fueling investigators’ suspicions.
- “[He] became almost convulsive, and he was on the floor…pulled his legs up to him in the fetal position and rocked back and forth…just moaned.” — Investigator Hines [10:39]
- Forensic Letdown: Autopsy findings did not yield physical evidence tying Zanter to the murder—no semen, just premenstrual discharge—leaving investigators at an impasse.
5. Cold Case Reopened & A New Approach
- Agent DePrima’s Theory: Reopening the case, Agent Ray DePrima suspected Zanter’s rage over losing the promotion as the motive.
- “He was so enraged that he didn't get that promotion and that this what a woman that he perceived as below him, that she got it, that caused him to act.” — Agent Ray DePrima [11:46]
- Pivotal Lead: Focus shifted to Zanter's wife, Barbara, who had made unsettling remarks about cleaning blood from new carpeting—coincidentally the day after Sharon vanished.
- “She brought up the fact that she wanted to know if anyone knew how to get blood out of their new carpeting...Steve had had an accident or something and he got blood all over…” — Joe Sorenson [12:27]
- The blood was described as “splattered” and traced up the stairs, raising suspicions.
6. Covert Operation & Confession
- Secret Recording: Barbara’s colleagues agreed to secretly record a conversation, revealing that she hid the incident from police to avoid further trouble for her husband.
- “Why didn’t you tell the police about the blood? Because I...just didn't. I didn't want to give him any more to do.” — Barbara Zanter [16:14]
- Probable Cause Established: The conversation facilitated a search warrant for the Zanter residence.
7. Forensic Breakthrough and Setbacks
- Evidence Find: During the search, luminol revealed blood on the carpet, and Sharon’s keys were discovered in the basement.
- “We get this great fluorescence and we knew that we had blood.” — Agent Ray DePrima [18:07]
- "A set of keys that were later identified as keys belonging to Sharon Bloom." — Sgt. Barry Cummins [18:33]
- Legal Hurdle: The keys were suppressed as evidence by the Minnesota Supreme Court, citing search and seizure overreach.
- “They threw the keys out, claiming we had overstepped our bounds, that we didn't have probable cause to seize the keys…” — Agent Ray DePrima [19:13]
8. Final Resolution with DNA
- DNA Advances: By 1999, forensic science could extract viable DNA from the carpet stains—despite attempted cleaning—linking it definitively to Sharon Bloom.
- “The blood then on the carpeting matched the DNA profile from the blood of the victim.” — Ann Marie Gross [21:12]
- Hair found at the dump site also matched Zanter.
- Confession and Sentencing: Confronted with incontrovertible DNA evidence, Zanter confessed in 2003 and received a 25-year prison sentence.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Sharon’s Vulnerability:
- “One day she came home and was in tears and her reaction was what could I have done to somebody that could cause them to hate me so much?” — David Cofode [00:57]
- Zanter’s Alibi Called Out:
- “He offered us an alibi right away, but it was an alibi that wasn't alibi ing him. It was an alibi that made no sense.” — Investigator Hines [04:02]
- Barbara’s Rationalization:
- “She was trying to convince herself…He didn't do this, and they're out to get us.” — Joe Sorenson [15:50]
- On Justice and Closure:
- “If this was the justice then I will have to accept doesn't mean that I sometimes feel it still falls short.” — David Cofode [21:50]
Key Timestamps
- 00:57 — David Cofode recounts Sharon’s distress over harassment
- 02:55 — Investigator Hines expresses early suspicion of foul play
- 04:02 — Initial doubts about Stephen Zanter’s alibi
- 09:05 — Discovery of Sharon’s body in a cornfield
- 10:14 — Zanter’s breakdown upon hearing of Sharon's death
- 11:46 — Agent DePrima shares his theory about motive
- 12:27 — Barbara Zanter’s blood-cleaning story emerges
- 16:14 — Barbara admits to withholding blood evidence from police
- 18:07 — Blood evidence found with luminol at the Zanter home
- 19:13 — Keys suppressed as evidence by state Supreme Court
- 21:12 — DNA finally links blood from carpet to Sharon Bloom
- 21:50 — David Cofode reflects on justice being served, but falling short
Tone & Narrative Flow
The episode maintains a measured, investigative tone, interspersed with the emotional testimonies of Sharon’s loved ones and the frustration of law enforcement at every new dead end. Triumph and sorrow are palpable, culminating in a bittersweet resolution as true justice is delayed for years, but ultimately achieved through the relentless evolution of science and perseverance.