Cold Case Files: REOPENED – The School Teacher
Podcast: Cold Case Files
Host: Paula Barros (A&E / PodcastOne)
Episode Date: December 25, 2025
Episode Summary:
This episode examines the decades-old murder of Kristi Marack, a beloved sixth-grade teacher in Lancaster, PA, whose case went cold for over a quarter of a century. Through interviews with family, friends, investigators, and experts, the narrative follows the heartache of Kristi’s family, the dogged pursuit of justice, and the incredible breakthroughs in forensic science that finally brought her killer — a local DJ — to justice.
Episode Overview
Main Theme:
The episode explores the tragic murder of Kristi Marack, the emotional aftermath for those who loved her, and the relentless, evolving investigation that ultimately solved the case using cutting-edge DNA technology and genetic genealogy.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Kristi Marack: Her Life and Character
- Kristi, 25, was a spirited, “very opinionated,” yet kind and giving person (00:39).
- Her family and friends recall her love for teaching and her dream since childhood to be a teacher (03:14).
- She was described as someone unlikely to open her door to a stranger:
- "She was very cautious of her surroundings... she had to know this person." – Family member (00:39)
- Kristi was known for her positive, energetic personality and deep care for others (03:41).
2. The Disappearance and Crime Scene
- Kristi missed school on December 21, 1992. Principal Harry Goodman noticed immediately, repeatedly calling her and ultimately checking her apartment (01:34).
- Goodman discovered Kristi’s apartment door ajar, her car iced over, and found her dead inside after calling out for her (02:11).
- The crime scene:
- Kristi was found sexually assaulted, naked from the waist down, with her upper clothing pushed up.
- Signs showed a violent struggle and strangulation.
- Bodily fluids left at the scene provided crucial forensic evidence.
Memorable Quote:
"I walked into the apartment and I was in total shock... I had screaming nightmares for about five years. I had intense therapy. Yeah, it totally changed my life." – Principal Harry Goodman (02:11)
3. Community Shock and Early Investigation
- Immediate impact: horror and heartbreak among family, friends, and the school community (05:58, 08:00).
- Police canvassed the neighborhood, learning a white male was seen walking toward Kristi’s apartment at about the time of the murder (06:19).
- A composite sketch and vehicle description were publicized, but led nowhere (06:19).
4. Early Suspects and Dead Ends
- Kristi’s ex-boyfriend, known as “Dagger” (20 years her senior and married), became a person of interest due to a recent breakup (08:08).
- Dagger’s alibi (out-of-state at DMV), polygraph, and DNA all cleared him (09:45).
Notable Quote:
"Things like that didn't happen in Lancaster. It's a very trusting community and I think that changed for everybody." – Principal Harry Goodman (10:30)
- Investigators questioned hundreds, including the principal himself and other associates. All DNA comparisons were negative; many suspects were ruled out (14:55).
Memorable Moment:
Principal Goodman’s shock and indignation at being treated as a suspect:
"How dare you defame Christie's memory? ... I was not going to allow them to intimidate me." (12:40)
5. Family’s Grief and Pursuit of Justice
- Kristi’s family, especially her mother Jerry and brother Vince, were tireless in their advocacy (16:01).
- Jerry pleaded with Vince to never give up before she died of cancer. Vince erected a billboard seeking information (16:56).
Notable Quote:
"There was not a bone in my body that said I would give up on this." – Vince Marack (16:01)
6. Forensic Breakthrough and Genetic Genealogy
- By 2017, new DNA technology offered hope. Assistant DA Christine Wilson pushed for advanced testing and worked with Parabon Nanolabs (17:46).
- DNA phenotyping helped produce a new age-progressed sketch of the suspect (18:55-19:21).
- Inspired by the Golden State Killer case (2018), they used genetic genealogy via GEDmatch and expert CeCe Moore to build and reverse family trees (21:17-22:35).
Key Insight:
- Moore realized the suspect was of both Northwest European and Puerto Rican descent, then found a likely person: Raymond Rowe, aka DJ Free (23:11).
Notable Quote:
"That was the moment where I knew that Raymond Rowe was very likely Kristi Marek's killer." – CeCe Moore (23:11)
7. Arrest and Aftermath
- Surveillance team collected Roe’s discarded water bottle and gum for DNA—resulting in a perfect match (25:04).
- Roe denied knowing Kristi, but physical and circumstantial evidence was overwhelming.
- The theory: Roe had possibly stalked Kristi prior to the murder and may have been the Peeping Tom seen at her apartment complex (26:19).
Notable Quotes:
"Everyone wants to know motive, but our working theory is that he was potentially obsessed with her and had stalked her..." – Assistant DA Christine Wilson (26:19)
8. Justice and Legacy
- Roe was arrested on June 25, 2018, and later pleaded guilty to murder, rape, and burglary to avoid the death penalty (28:03).
- He received life in prison plus 60–120 years (28:03).
- Roe later recanted parts of his confession and sought a new trial, but his appeal was denied (28:03).
Emotional Reflections:
- Principal Goodman believes Kristi “would have forgiven him” (29:13).
- Vince Marack reflects on Kristi’s enduring warmth:
- "Definitely see her smile in all these pictures ... I would just like to reach the start from where we left off and just keep continuing life the way it should have went." (29:31)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
"She had to know this person. There was no way she would open that door."
– Family Member (00:39) -
"I was a principal for 27 years... you get chills. The kids were really in tune with her, and I could tell that she enjoyed what she was doing."
– Principal Harry Goodman (04:04) -
"I walked into the apartment and I was in total shock. I've never told anybody what I walked in on that day. It affected my whole life."
– Principal Goodman (02:11) -
"There was not a bone in my body that said I would give up on this."
– Vince Marack (16:01) -
"When I saw the press conference, at first I was shocked. And I went from shock to being very angry because I finally had a face to put that anger to."
– Friend, Annie Adams (27:14) -
"Knowing Christy like I did, she would be one that would have forgiven him. And I know that she's at peace. I know that she's with her mother and I can't wait to see her."
– Principal Harry Goodman (29:13)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:39 – 03:41: Kristi’s family and friends recall her character and teaching career
- 02:11: Principal discovers the crime scene
- 05:58 – 08:00: Family and community reaction
- 08:08 – 09:45: Suspicions about Kristi’s ex-boyfriend and dead ends
- 14:04 – 16:38: Family’s grief, the funeral, and early frustrations
- 16:56: Vince’s billboard and continued public advocacy
- 17:46 – 19:21: New DNA technology and phenotyping
- 21:17 – 23:39: CeCe Moore’s genetic genealogy work
- 25:04 – 25:51: Surveillance, DNA match, and arrest of Rowe
- 26:45 – 27:14: Rowe’s arrest, community and family reaction
- 28:03: Roe’s plea, sentencing, and failed appeal
- 29:13 – 29:57: Reflections from Kristi’s loved ones
Episode Tone
The episode maintains a respectful, empathetic tone throughout, allowing Kristi’s humanity and the perseverance of her loved ones and investigators to resonate. The technical aspects of forensic advancements are presented clearly and accessibly, highlighting both the painstaking nature and hope inherent in cold case work.
Final Thoughts
This episode is a compelling testament to persistence in the face of tragedy, the power of family advocacy, and the extraordinary impact of modern forensic technology and genetic genealogy. After 27 years, Kristi Marack’s family finally saw justice served, bringing a measure of closure to a devastating loss. The episode honors Kristi’s memory through the voices of those she touched and the investigators who refused to give up.