Cold Case Files: REOPENED: The Paper Route
Podcast Information
- Title: Cold Case Files
- Host: Paula Barros
- Episode: REOPENED: The Paper Route
- Release Date: June 5, 2025
Introduction to Bertha Niemann's Case
In the early hours of March 15, 1988, 63-year-old Bertha Niemann, a dedicated rural newspaper carrier, vanished under mysterious circumstances. Bertha, a widow with a history of loss—having endured the deaths of her husband Clesson Niemann in 1975 and her mother in 1980—was known for her consistent delivery routes across Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.
Narrator: "Bertha was extremely consistent. So when she was late for her final delivery, her boss, Joe Pittsburgh, started to worry." [00:00]
Initial Investigation and Discovery
On the fateful morning, Bertha left her home accompanied by her two puppies to pick up newspapers. Around 3 AM, she stopped at a truck stop, ordered a cup of coffee, and never returned. Her van was found abandoned in a parking lot miles away from the location where her body was later discovered behind a local church.
Captain David Randall: "We couldn't find her." [03:15]
Inspector Joe Pittsburgh quickly notified the police, leading to the grim discovery of Bertha's body. She had been shot three times—twice in the head and once in the neck—and was found face down under a tree. The van showed no signs of a struggle, and personal belongings, including some money, were left untouched, ruling out robbery as a motive.
Captain David Randall: "The person or persons responsible for her death were most likely the ones that put the van there." [04:43]
Family's Struggle for Answers
Bertha's disappearance and subsequent murder left her family desperate for answers. Lonnie Niemann, her youngest son, expressed frustration with the lack of communication from the investigators.
Lonnie Niemann: "We weren't apprised of everything that was going on." [05:36]
Donna Creel, Bertha's daughter, highlighted the difficulty in balancing the personal relationship with Captain Randall and his professional duties, leaving the family feeling inadequately informed.
Donna Creel: "He kept it on the professional level." [05:48]
Initial Leads and Challenges
Captain Randall compiled a list of six individuals with histories of violence in the area, one of whom was a man known as AJ. AJ provided a critical lead involving Ekron Frazier, a convicted rapist, who allegedly confessed to knowing about Bertha's murder.
Captain David Randall: "Ekron admitted that he had killed a lady." [07:16]
However, despite searching the area based on AJ's information, the murder weapon was never found. Frazier claimed he was at a club the night of the murder, and without supporting evidence, the case went cold.
Renewal of the Case After Eleven Years
Eleven years later, in 1999, Lieutenant Bob Bromage approached Captain Randall to revisit cold cases, choosing Bertha Niemann's case for renewed investigation. A crucial piece of evidence was a semen sample found during the autopsy, which had degraded over time, limiting its utility in identifying the perpetrator.
Lonnie Niemann: "He was able to give me an idea that, hey, if you get a suspect, we can exclude him, but we can't say beyond any doubt that it was him." [12:02]
Bromage focused on analyzing the partial DNA profile, seeking to exclude potential suspects. Ekron Frazier emerged again as a key figure when a piece of cardboard bearing Bertha's name and associated with her murder location was discovered in his prison cell.
Breakthrough Through DNA Evidence
Despite Frazier's initial claims and lack of physical evidence, his evasive behavior during a polygraph test raised suspicions. Investigators probed deeper, questioning him about details only the perpetrator would know, such as the presence of Bertha's dogs in the van.
Captain David Randall: "He was there and was more." [17:58]
Frazier eventually pled guilty to manslaughter related to the case but maintained ambiguity regarding his involvement in the sexual assault evidenced by the semen sample.
Final Developments and Unanswered Questions
As Frazier's release approached in 2019, advancements in DNA technology prompted a reevaluation of the semen evidence. The new analysis conclusively matched the semen to Ekron Frazier, solidifying his connection to Bertha's murder and leading to the initiation of a new trial process.
Lonnie Niemann: "Nobody knows where that semen came from at this point. That is still being explored to this day." [22:13]
The case, while making significant progress, still leaves lingering questions about the identities of other women listed on the cardboard found in Frazier's cell and their statuses.
Conclusion and Ongoing Impact
The reopening of Bertha Niemann's case underscores the relentless pursuit of justice by law enforcement and the enduring hope of a family seeking closure. Despite the advancements in forensic technology providing critical breakthroughs, some aspects of the case remain unresolved, highlighting the complexities inherent in cold cases.
Lonnie Niemann: "If I get information or find information that will lead us in that direction, I certainly would like to at least put a name on that and why it's there." [22:32]
Key Takeaways:
- Persistence in Investigation: Eleven years after the initial investigation, renewed efforts leveraging advanced DNA technology were pivotal in reopening and advancing Bertha Niemann's case.
- Impact of Forensic Advances: The degradation of the original semen sample initially hindered the investigation, but later technological improvements allowed for a conclusive match.
- Family's Ongoing Quest for Justice: Bertha's family continues to seek answers, emphasizing the personal toll and the importance of unresolved questions in cold cases.
Notable Quotes:
- "The person or persons responsible for her death were most likely the ones that put the van there." — Captain David Randall [04:43]
- "He was cool, calm and collected... he was just a little bit better." — Captain David Randall [07:56]
- "Nobody knows where that semen came from at this point." — Lonnie Niemann [22:13]
Credits:
- Host: Paula Barros
- Producers: McKamey, Lynn, and Steve Delamater
- Associate Producer: Julie McGruder
- Executive Producer: Ted Butler
- Music: Blake Maples
- Distribution: PodcastOne
For more information on this case and other intriguing stories, visit Cold Case Files.