Cold Case Files: REOPENED – The Peeper

Podcast Information:

• Title: Cold Case Files
• Host: Paula Barros
• Episode: REOPENED: The Peeper
• Release Date: June 26, 2025
• Description: Based on the iconic, Emmy-nominated A&E series, this episode delves into one of the most challenging unsolved murders that eventually resurfaced after decades of darkness.

Introduction to the Case

On August 16, 1986, a horrifying crime shook Edmond, Oklahoma. Gary Larson was brutally murdered in his own home, and his fiancée endured a savage rape. This tragic incident, coupled with a later post office shooting, overwhelmed local law enforcement, delaying the investigation into Gary's murder. It wasn't until 18 years later that new evidence emerged, leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator.

Brooke Giddings (01:16): "On August 20, 1986, a post office employee killed 14 people in Edmond... Four days earlier, Gary Larson had been murdered."

The Initial Crime and Investigation

Detective Chuck Good spearheaded the investigation into Gary Larson's murder. The only witness was Larson's fiancée, who provided a distressing account of the attack.

Detective Chuck Good (04:11): "Gary Larson gets out of bed, walks down the hallway... she thought that the guy only had on underwear."

Crime scene technician Rocky Yardley discovered a single bloody footprint beneath Larson's bedroom window, a crucial but insufficient piece of evidence at the time.

Detective Chuck Good (04:55): "So there was obviously activity in that area. He was just one of those peeping Toms..."

Detective Good's Persistent Efforts

Despite extensive door-to-door inquiries and developing over 100 suspects, no match was found for the bloody footprint.

Detective Steve Day (09:37): "More than 100 suspects are developed. None, however, match the bloody print left at the scene."

The lack of leads led Detective Good to question the solvability of the case, expressing deep frustration and personal anguish.

Detective Chuck Good (10:04): "I'm beginning to wonder if the footprint could ever be made or if we were ever find this guy."

The Case Goes Cold

As years passed, hope dwindled for Gary Larson's family. Diane Larson, Gary's sister, remained in constant contact with the police, unwilling to give up.

Diane Larson (10:54): "There was no reason, no person to blame, no face to blame. That was the worst part."

By 1990, the murder case was classified as cold, lingering unresolved for nearly 14 years until a serendipitous event reignited the investigation.

A New Lead After 18 Years

In 2004, a young boy named Scott Eggleston noticed a man peering into his bathroom window, prompting his father, Scott Eggleston, to take action. Setting up an infrared beam, the family captured footage of a suspicious individual named Jonathan Graham.

Scott Eggleston (13:21): "There's this 6 foot 2, 250 pound, 38-year-old man standing back here in the bushes looking in the bathroom window."

Eggleston's courageous confrontation led to Graham's arrest, initially perceived as a mere peeping tom.

Uncovering the Connection

Detective Steve Day revisited himself the connections between the captured suspect and the long-cold Larson case. A critical breakthrough occurred when forensic analysis linked new evidence to the original crime scene.

Detective Chuck Good (19:08): "I found some child pornography images... and they totaled 800."

Forensic comparison of Graham's inked footprints with the bloody print from Larson's murder revealed undeniable similarities.

Detective Chuck Good (20:25): "You have unique identifying characteristics... the same source as this inked impression."

DNA testing further cemented the connection, confirming Graham as the source of the semen found on Larson's fiancée.

The Arrest and Confession

Jonathan Graham was formally charged and eventually pled guilty to multiple charges, including murder, rape, and burglary. His confession provided harrowing details of the night Gary Larson was killed.

Jonathan Graham (21:47): "I just went out to peep and went to that street... I decided that I was going to rape the girl because I thought she was by herself."

Jonathan Graham (22:42): "I went through one of the front windows... I hit Gary with a knife right in the chest."

Graham is now serving multiple life sentences, ensuring he will never harm anyone else again.

Impact on the Victims' Family

The resolution of the case brought a mix of closure and enduring pain to Gary Larson's family. Diane Larson expressed the lifelong impact of her brother's untimely death.

Diane Larson (23:19): "I think for my whole life, I'm going to be just devastated about it... I will never forget what happened."

Detective Good reflected on the relentless pursuit and emotional toll of the case.

Detective Chuck Good (21:21): "There's quite a few people that have some questions that they'd like answered."

Conclusion and Aftermath

"REOPENED: The Peeper" showcases the unwavering dedication of law enforcement in solving cold cases, even after decades have passed. This episode underscores the importance of perseverance, advancements in forensic technology, and community vigilance in bringing justice to victims and their families.

Brooke Giddings (23:54): "Jonathan Graham is currently serving 15 life sentences... he will spend the rest of his life in prison."

The episode serves as a testament to the rare 1% of cold cases that are eventually solved, offering hope that no matter how long the wait, justice can prevail.

Notable Quotes

• Brooke Giddings (01:16): "From A and E, this is Cold Case Files."
• Detective Chuck Good (04:32): "Obviously it was not his first time here."
• Detective Steve Day (15:05): "This is about the location where Scott Eggleston lived... where Gary Del Larson was killed."
• Diane Larson (10:54): "There was no reason, no person to blame, no face to blame."
• Detective Chuck Good (20:25): "You have unique identifying characteristics such as ridge endings, bifurcations of ridges, dots..."
• Diane Larson (23:19): "I will never forget what happened."

Production Credits

• Host: Paula Barros
• Producer: McKamey, Lynn, and Steve Delamater
• Associate Producer: Julie McGruder
• Executive Producer: Ted Belver
• Music: Blake Maples
• Distributed by: Podcast One
• Additional Information: Follow Brooke Giddings on Twitter and Instagram. Join the Facebook group Podcast for Justice. Visit ColdCaseFiles@aetv.com or the A&E RealCrime blog for more cases.

Note: This summary omits all advertisement segments and non-content sections to focus solely on the narrative and investigative journey of the case.