Cold Case Files: "The Family / The Clue That Stuck"

Date: March 17, 2026
Host/Narrator: Marisa Pinson

Episode Overview

This episode of Cold Case Files presents two gripping murder cases that spanned decades before being solved—thanks to relentless investigators and advances in forensic science. The first story, "The Family," unravels the 16-year search for Kim Basel, a young woman entangled with a notorious crime family in Oregon. The second, "The Clue That Stuck," follows the cold case murder of Norma Rodriguez in California, focusing on the crucial role of DNA evidence extracted from duct tape and fingernail clippings. Throughout both narratives, the episode underscores the emotional toll on victims' families and the persistence required to bring justice.

Case 1: "The Family"—The Kim Basel Investigation

The Disappearance and First Clues

[01:03–03:39]

• Michael Gates, a Multnomah County Investigator, returns to a grave where Kim Basel's remains were uncovered after 16 years missing.
• Kim’s mother and sister revisit the site, hoping for closure:

  “She was my daughter. She was gone for 16 and a half years. We needed to see this.” —Carol Basel, [01:50]
  “I wanted to see if I could find a small piece of my sister that was left…just to fill the soil in my hands at where she was that whole time.” —Michelle Basel, [01:50]

• Kim’s last contact: a terrified phone call in 1982, abruptly cut off by an assault:

  “I could hear it begging them to stop burning her…I just listened as long as I could. And then finally someone hung the phone up.” —Michelle Basel, [03:12–03:25]

Investigation and Criminal Connections

[03:47–06:40]

• Police originally dismiss Kim as a runaway due to her age; little investigation is done at first.
• A drug sting a year later produces an informant who names Esther Cahoot and John Santmier, linked to the Longoria crime family, as responsible for Kim’s death.
• Kim was involved in a massive shoplifting ring and threatened to inform on the family:

  “She told them, you need to help me and if you don’t, I’m going to go to the police…and that was the wrong thing to say to these people.” —Joe Goodale, Detective, [05:31]

• Longoria family was notorious for leveraging younger members in crimes to avoid direct implication.

Breakthroughs and Setbacks

[07:41–13:32]

• Lack of body or evidence stymies the case for years.
• Rumors circulate of Kim’s body being disposed of via wood chipper, but searches are fruitless.
• By 1998, with new informants cooperating, Gates and his team search remote property described by Benny Manaz, Esther’s nephew.

  “I was the one that dug that hole.” —Benny Manaz, [11:19]

• In February 1998, Kim’s body is found in a sleeping bag; dental records confirm identity.
• The emotional toll for the family is clear:

  “You finally know, but then…you don’t really believe it’s your sister…then you’re angry. How dare someone do this?” —Michelle Basel, [13:09–13:20]

• Detective Gates makes a personal promise to the family to not shave until the case is solved:

  “He promised that he would not shave until someone was charged for Kim’s death.” —Carol Basel, [13:47]

Closing the Net on Suspects

[14:22–20:17]

• As pressure mounts, key witnesses become fearful and stop cooperating, knowing the Longoria family’s reputation for vengeance.
• Gates’ promise-to-not-shave grows into a visual symbol that earns him trust within the criminal community, even helping him blend in:

  “Once the beard started growing…I found that people really wanted to talk to me…by being one of them.” —Michael Gates, [18:47]

• A crucial cousin, Frank, confirms that John Santmier confessed to smothering Kim with a pillow:

  “He says, I smothered her with a pillow on a couch.” —Frank, [19:12]

• On March 19, 2000, Santmier is arrested; evidence against Esther Cahoot proves more elusive.

Resolution and Justice

[20:33–24:42]

• Gates manipulates press coverage to provoke a revealing call from Esther Cahoot’s family, but she stops short of direct confession.
• Santmier finally provides the incriminating details, implicating both himself and Esther in Kim’s torture and murder.
• Esther Cahoot is indicted, eventually pleading guilty to manslaughter and serving nine years; Santmier receives life with parole possible after 10 years.
• The Basel family finds closure:

  “We finally got some closure on Kim. We brought her home. That’s the first thing we wanted to do.” —Michelle Basel, [23:54]
  “He just wasn’t gonna let us down.” —Carol Basel, [24:12]

• With his promise fulfilled, Michael Gates shaves:

  “The media was there, and they shaved my beard off. And it felt wonderful.” —Michael Gates, [24:30]

Case 2: "The Clue That Stuck"—Norma Rodriguez's Murder

The Crime Scene and Early Investigation

[25:02–32:08]

• On June 1, 1993, Norma Rodriguez is found strangled, head wrapped in duct tape. Her four-year-old son Austin may have witnessed the crime.
• Detective Fitzgerald notes the uniqueness:

  “We had never seen a homicide like that before, where duct tape was ever used…his or her way of putting a blindfold on.” —Det. Fernie Estrella, [26:03]

• Critical clue: Norma’s house keys, missing before the murder, reappear at the crime scene, suggesting the killer was close to her.

The Search for Witnesses and Suspects

[27:24–32:45]

• Austin identifies two men—Warren Mackey (a white man, friend of Norma) and a second man (black, also a coworker).
• Both are interviewed. Mackey produces an alibi, which is initially corroborated; the second man passes a polygraph.
• Police pursue other friends, family, and acquaintances as potential suspects, but all polygraph results are negative. The case grows cold.

The Breakthrough—Forensic Science and DNA

[32:56–39:11]

• Years later, forensic scientist Shannon Barrios reopens the case, testing Norma’s fingernail clippings for DNA—a method unavailable at the time of the murder.
• Barrios finds a mixture:

  “There is a profile underneath her right fingernails that is an unknown male. This was a huge break for us.” —Shannon Barrios, [36:57]

• Investigators gather DNA from suspects, including Mackey, who willingly provides a sample.

The Clue That Stuck—Duct Tape DNA

[39:11–42:06]

• Forensic scientist Ed Jones examines the duct tape for DNA, focusing on where it would have been torn with the teeth or touched by hands:

  “The obvious thing that you’d be looking for, is saliva…saliva is a very rich source of DNA.” —Ed Jones, [39:49]

• Both the beginning and end of the tape produce a single DNA profile, matching Warren Mackey.
• Mackey is confronted with the evidence:

  “Your sample showed up on her…It’s underneath her finger…It’s on the duct tape.” —Investigator Fitzgerald to Mackey, [40:55–42:15] “I didn’t have anything to do with this murder. Not at all.” —Warren Mackey, [42:15]

Confession, Sentencing, and Aftermath

[43:05–44:29]

• Mackey is charged and pleads guilty to second-degree murder, but never explains the motive.

  “I think that he had a romantic interest in her. She didn’t reciprocate. And…I think he felt rejected and angry.” —Investigator, [43:17]

• Norma’s son Austin expresses his enduring pain and eventual forgiveness:

  “I would not forgive him…So much hate…I have forgave him. That’s who I am…They say in time you will heal from your pain. No, it’s still there.” —Austin Rodriguez, [43:55]

• Mackey is sentenced to 15 years to life at Valley State Prison. The second man Austin saw has not been charged.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• “She was gone for 16 and a half years. We needed to see this.” —Carol Basel, [01:50]
• “You finally know, but then…you don’t really believe it’s your sister.” —Michelle Basel, [13:09]
• “He promised that he would not shave until someone was charged for Kim’s death.” —Carol Basel, [13:47]
• “Once the beard started growing…I found that people really wanted to talk to me…By being one of them.” —Michael Gates, on building trust with informants, [18:47]
• “There is a profile underneath her right fingernails that is an unknown male. This was a huge break for us.” —Shannon Barrios, [36:57]
• “You know what? If you’re accusing me, then I’m not gonna talk anymore and I’ll get a lawyer.” —Warren Mackey, [42:15]
• “I cursed him for the rest of his life. I had so much hate on him. So much hate. I have forgave him. That’s who I am.” —Austin Rodriguez, [43:55]

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:03] – Introduction of Michael Gates and Kim Basel case
• [03:12] – Michelle recalls last phone call from Kim
• [05:05] – Discovery of Kim’s involvement with the Longoria family
• [11:19] – Benny Manaz leads investigators to Kim’s burial site
• [13:47] – Detective Gates' vow to the family
• [18:47] – Gates on growing a beard as investigative strategy
• [19:12] – Frank provides confession details from Santmier
• [24:30] – Gates shaves after solving the case
• [25:02] – Introduction to Norma Rodriguez murder case
• [32:56] – Scientist revives the case using forensic DNA analysis
• [36:57] – DNA breakthrough from fingernails
• [39:49] – Duct tape DNA strategy
• [42:15] – Mackey is confronted with DNA evidence
• [43:55] – Austin Rodriguez on anger and forgiveness

Themes & Tone

Cold Case Files employs an empathetic, sometimes somber tone, blending investigator tenacity with the harrowing realities faced by victims’ families. The episode emphasizes:

• Relentless pursuit of justice, even across decades.
• Emotional stakes for families as stories move from trauma to closure.
• Power of new forensic technologies and their role in breaking long-cold cases.
• The impact of community and family loyalty—both criminal and victim.

Summary

This episode compellingly illustrates how cold case resolutions demand tireless effort, emotional commitment, and evolving science. Both Kim Basel’s and Norma Rodriguez’s families endure wrenching uncertainty, but ultimately find resolution—if not true healing—thanks to determined law enforcement and the “clues that stuck.”