Cold Case Files – REOPENED: Sisters In Death

Podcast: Cold Case Files (A&E / PodcastOne)
Host/Narrator: Marisa Pinson
Air Date: March 26, 2026

Overview

This episode of Cold Case Files explores the chilling 1984 double homicide of sisters Wylene and Lily Kennedy in Houston, Texas. The story is told through the voices of family members, police investigators, and advocates, revealing the traumatic ripple effects of the unsolved case. Over thirty years later, advances in DNA technology—and relentless family advocacy—lead to a breakthrough and long-awaited, if bittersweet, justice.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The Discovery of the Crime (01:41–05:10)

• Jack Kennedy, the sisters’ father, discovers their bodies after they miss a doctor's appointment. Wylene is found near the entryway; Lily, at her feet.
• Family's immediate reaction:

  "My uncle was shaking uncontrollably and crying uncontrollably. I don't know how he even stood up. Seeing that scene..." (05:10, Family Member)

2. Crime Scene Investigation (05:31–09:08)

• Victim profile: Wylene, outgoing stained glass artist and vintage clothing store owner; Lily, her more reserved, "girl-next-door" sister.
• Crime details:
  • Wylene suffered visible, severe injuries and apparent torture.
  • Lily was killed quickly with a single gunshot wound.
  • No forced entry—suggesting the sisters knew their killer.
  • Bloody footprints with a distinctive wavy design found in and near the house.
  • Despite ransacked appearance, valuables like $500 in cash and jewelry were left behind—implying the killer was looking for something else (possibly drugs).

3. Early Leads and Dead Ends (09:59–13:07)

• Eyewitness:
  • Neighbor sees an unknown man leaving with a cushion, which matches one missing from the house and is later found bloodied nearby.
  • Composite drawing created based on witness input, but family members find it unspecific.
• Medical examiner:
  • Wylene is sexually assaulted; seminal fluid collected.
  • DNA testing in 1984 limited—only blood type possible.
• Initial suspects:
  • Focus on both sisters' exes (Lily's ex-husband, Wylene's ex-boyfriend with drug connections). Both are cleared—Wylene's ex passes a polygraph; Lily's ex is physically incapable due to recent surgery.

4. Stalled Investigation and Family Trauma (17:15–22:11)

• Investigative leads fail to pan out:
  • Search for drug connections, revenge motives, and traceable suspects result in dead ends.
  • A promising tip about shoe treads leads to arrest of an unrelated man; disappointment follows as evidence doesn’t match.
• Lasting trauma for the family:

  "At such a young age in fifth grade, all I could think about, if that happened to my aunts, anybody could break into the house and kill me." (20:30, Jackie Elliott)

  • Jackie Elliott, the victims’ niece, describes living with fear after the murders.
  • The family is torn apart by grief; parents' marriage deteriorates, and mother Rose spirals emotionally.
• Victim advocacy:
  • Rose dedicates her life to keeping the case alive in public memory.

5. Family Advocacy Reignites the Case (23:05–24:16)

• Jackie inherits a box of case materials from her grandmother’s deathbed, pledging to never give up.

  "Most people inherit a jewelry box. I inherited a metal box... On her deathbed, my grandmother told me never to forget and try to make sure I continue the effort of getting this story out there." (23:05, Jackie Elliott)

6. Forensic Breakthrough – DNA & Fresh Leads (24:16–26:48)

• 2014: Cold case detective discovers viable biological evidence from the autopsy. DNA profile is developed.
• No match found in CODIS (national DNA database)—another setback.

7. Jailhouse Informant and Connection to the Suspect (26:48–29:46)

• A jailed man in Indiana contacts attorney Roy Dominguez, offering information for leniency.
  • Names Edmund Deegan as the killer.
  • Details: After the murders, Deegan asked the informant for help destroying evidence—including weapons and personal belongings of the Kennedys.
• The name is familiar to the victims’ family as a former business associate of Wylene.

8. Confrontation and DNA Match (29:04–30:27)

• Houston police confront Deegan; he categorically denies involvement but agrees to provide a DNA sample.
• DNA is a 1 in 1.4 billion match. The 30-year search for the killer is over.
• Jackie reflects:

  "If you compare a picture of Deegan at that time of his life to the composite drawing, you will see how similar both look to each other." (30:10, Jackie Elliott)

9. Plea Deal, Sentencing, and Injustice (31:22–33:17)

• Legal limitations:
  • DNA only links Deegan directly to Wylene’s murder (the sexual assault); no physical evidence for Lily’s murder.
  • Prosecutors secure a plea bargain: Deegan pleads guilty to Wylene’s murder, receives a 15-year sentence, while Lily's murder and rape charges are not pursued.
• Perspectives on the deal:

  "For Edmund Deegan, that was the deal of a lifetime." (31:56, Andy Kahn) "Was I happy with that? No. A human's life to steal one and deprive one is worth more than that. And it wouldn't hurt to know precisely what happened that morning." (32:00, Detective)

10. Release and Lasting Impact (32:37–34:29)

• Deegan’s early release:
  • Due to a 1977 Texas law on mandatory release for inmates with good behavior, Deegan is freed after serving less than 7 years.
  • Jackie expresses despair and lingering fear:

    "I've been told he's not allowed to be in Harris county here in Houston for the next 10 years. You're asking for a criminal to follow rules when they've broken so many already... The only way I'm ever gonna feel safe in this world is going to be either me dying or him dying." (33:56, Jackie Elliott)

• Advocate Andy Kahn criticizes the law’s effect on victims’ families.

11. Family Remembrance (34:29–35:08)

• Final reflections:

  "Even though they're not physically here with me to help me through this, they're still around me. They're like my angels." (34:49, Jackie Elliott)

• Family continues to honor Wylene and Lily’s memory.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "This crime was extremely horrific. It just doesn't even seem like another human being would be capable of this. My family was ripped apart... My grandmother told me never to forget, to keep fighting for the family and getting justice for my two aunts, Wylene and Lily."
  (01:41, Jackie Elliott)

• "Whoever had taken her life had spent some significant time harming Wylene. She was abused, if not tortured, prior to her death."
  (05:31, Detective/Investigator)

• "At such a young age in fifth grade, all I could think about, if that happened to my aunts, anybody could break into the house and kill me."
  (20:30, Jackie Elliott)

• "Jackie spent her life looking for ways that the case would get known and that the murderer could be found."
  (23:41, Family Member)

• On Deegan’s release:
  "This quirky law that Texas enacted in 1977 to alleviate prison overcrowding... basically stated any inmate... who committed a crime in Texas between 1977 in 1987 was eligible for automatic release. I guess they never thought that the after effects will haunt this state forever."
  (33:17, Andy Kahn)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |---|---| | 01:41 | Family discovers Wylene and Lily’s bodies | | 05:31 | Investigators describe the nature of the crime | | 06:32 | Family shares memories of Wylene and Lily | | 09:59 | Eyewitness sees suspect leaving crime scene | | 11:14 | Composite sketch and early leads | | 15:09 | Family's suspicions focus on Wylene's ex-boyfriend | | 17:15 | Both exes are cleared; case begins to stall | | 20:30 | Jackie Elliott describes her trauma | | 22:11 | Victim advocate on impact of cold cases | | 23:05 | Jackie inherits grandmother’s “metal box” | | 24:16 | New hope: DNA sample still viable in 2014 | | 26:48 | Jailhouse informant names Edmund Deegan | | 29:04 | Police interview Deegan, obtain DNA sample | | 30:27 | DNA match is confirmed | | 31:22 | Plea deal; justice and limitations | | 32:37 | Deegan’s release and family’s continued anguish | | 34:49 | Jackie's lasting tribute to Wylene and Lily |

Tone and Language

The episode maintains a somber, reflective tone, punctuated by the haunted hopefulness of family members and professionals. Language is candid, compassionate, and respectful of the victims and those left behind. Family voices are especially poignant, and investigator commentary remains factual and empathetic.

Conclusion

Sisters In Death is a powerful account of a double homicide that reverberated through one family for decades. Despite early investigative failures, the unwavering pursuit of justice by the victims’ family—particularly Jackie Elliott—eventually led to the identification and prosecution of the killer through DNA technology. Yet the ending is far from triumphant, with legal loopholes allowing the killer to walk free in under a decade—leaving behind unresolved grief and questions about the American justice system's handling of cold cases. The episode is both a testament to the resilience of survivors and a sobering indictment of the limits of the justice system.