Cold Case Files: "The Night Shift" - Detailed Summary

Episode Release Date: June 3, 2025
Host: Paula Barros
Runtime: Approximately 36 minutes

1. Introduction to the Case

The episode "The Night Shift" delves into the harrowing cold case of Brad Perry, a 22-year-old gas station attendant in Brigham City, Utah. On May 26, 1984, Brad's life was brutally taken during his overnight shift, leaving his close-knit Mormon community in shock and his family grappling with unimaginable loss.

2. The Aftermath of Brad Perry’s Murder

[01:25] Marissa Pinson introduces the victim:

"Brad Perry is a Box Elder County Deputy Attorney."

[02:11] Detective Scott Cosgrove recounts the events leading to Brad's death:

"On Memorial Day weekend 1984, two students, Sabah and Barish, studied all night for a final test. They wanted to put the books aside and go for a drive and have some breakfast."

Around 4:00 AM, Sabah and Barish stopped at Brad's gas station, where they encountered a suspicious attendant exhibiting blood on his hands and shoes. This unsettling encounter prompted them to leave swiftly, only to discover Brad's lifeless body shortly after.

3. The Brutality of the Murder

[04:01] Scott Cosgrove describes the grisly details of Brad’s murder:

"The victim had been stabbed with a foot-long screwdriver that penetrated through his upper chest. There was a large cast iron bell, appeared to be hit in the side of the head with that and had a skull fracture from that. The coup de grâce was a large soda canister, weighing probably in the neighborhood of 40 pounds, used to crush his skull."

The traumatic nature of the crime deeply affected both the community and the investigating officers, who personally knew Brad.

4. Impact on the Perry Family

[05:14] Lee Perry, Brad's brother, shares the immediate impact:

"Back in 1984, my mom and my little brother and myself all left on a trip to go to California and go to SeaWorld. Brad stayed behind... but by dawn he'll be brutally murdered."

[05:44] Claudia Perry, the mother, recounts the devastating news:

"Somebody killed him. Just like that. I just lost it."

The family faced not only the grief of Brad's sudden death but also the challenges of losing their primary support as Lee becomes the eldest son handling the family's turmoil.

5. Initial Investigation and Suspects

The initial investigation focused on potential suspects within the gas station since the crime scene suggested internal involvement.

[07:31] Scott Cosgrove explains:

"For example, when Barish and Sabah pull up to the gas pumps, the gas pumps have to be reset from inside the gas station. Somebody would have to know how to do that."

Suspicion initially fell on Thomas Nagger, the assistant manager, due to his absence at the time of the murder and his nervous demeanor during questioning. However, fingerprint evidence did not link him conclusively to the crime.

[09:41] Scott Cosgrove states:

"They had the insight to use a forensic vacuum to vacuum the fight area. And it's from that vacuuming that we were able to locate some hairs. There were hundreds of prints that were compared, and yet Tom Nagger's fingerprints weren't found."

Despite these suspicions, the lack of concrete evidence led to Nagger being released, leaving the case unresolved.

6. The Family’s Struggle and Vandalization

As years passed without resolution, the Perry family endured additional hardships. Their home was vandalized and burglarized, exacerbating their grief and frustration.

[11:50] Lee Perry reflects:

"Whoever did it broke into our house, vandalized it, stole some stuff, and even went so far as to defecate in Brad's bedroom. Why would somebody do something like that?"

The family also faced false accusations, including suspicion towards Craig Martinez, a neighbor with a criminal history. However, evidence such as fingerprint mismatches ultimately cleared Martinez, adding to the family's despair.

7. Reopening the Cold Case

Nearly a decade later, in 1995, Sheriff Jensen entrusted Detective Scott Cosgrove with revisiting Brad's case. Driven by a profound sense of purpose and spiritual conviction, Cosgrove meticulously reviewed old evidence, including a neglected hair sample from the crime scene.

[19:39] Detective Cosgrove shares his renewed hope:

"I received an answer in my heart that this was going to be solved."

8. Breakthrough with DNA Evidence

The pivotal moment came when Amy Huge, Brad's childhood friend and newly elected Box Elder County Attorney, advocated for modern forensic techniques.

[23:05] Amy Huge explains her motivation:

"I ran for county attorney. I just knew that it would go cold if I didn't do something."

Advancements in DNA technology allowed for a new analysis of the evidence. A blood sample on a dollar bill, initially dismissed as Brad's own, was re-examined and linked to Glenn Griffin, a federal inmate with a history of criminal activity.

[25:13] Amy Huge recounts the discovery:

"We had a hit, but the name he gave was somebody we had never even heard of."

9. The Confrontation and Confession

With evidence mounting, Cosgrove pursued Griffin, who was about to be released from federal custody. During interrogation, Griffin's suspicious behavior and inability to satisfactorily explain the DNA evidence led to his confession.

[29:21] Detective Cosgrove details Wade Maughan's testimony:

"Wade was at the station with Glenn, and they got in an argument with Brad over beer... Glenn became irritated and confronted Brad. They got in an argument. Glenn went berserk... Glenn tortured him, and then he killed Brad Perry."

Despite Wade receiving immunity, his reluctant testimony was crucial in implicating Griffin in the murder.

10. The Trial and Conviction

In 2008, the culmination of years of diligent investigation resulted in Glenn Griffin's conviction for first-degree murder.

[35:02] Marissa Pinson summarizes the outcome:

"In 2008, Glenn Griffin was found guilty of first-degree murder. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole."

While Griffin was convicted, Wade Maughan was acquitted, highlighting the complexities and challenges of prosecuting cold cases years after the fact.

11. Closure for the Perry Family

The resolution of Brad's murder provided a measure of closure for the Perry family after 24 years of uncertainty and pain.

[35:23] Claudia Perry reflects on the aftermath:

"Despite the acquittal of Wade Maughan, the conviction of Glenn Griffin gives the Perry family some closure and helps heal a wound left open for 24 years."

[35:59] Lee Perry shares his personal transformation:

"I became a law enforcement officer to protect good, law-abiding citizens from being hurt from people who are doing bad things. And that's what I do every day when I go out and do my job."

12. Conclusion and Lasting Impact

"The Night Shift" not only chronicles the meticulous detective work that eventually solved Brad Perry’s murder but also underscores the enduring resilience of a family in the face of tragedy. The episode highlights the importance of perseverance, advancements in forensic science, and the unwavering hope that fuels cold case investigations.

Notable Quotes:

• [07:31] Scott Cosgrove: "Somebody would have to know how to reset the gas pumps from inside the station."

• [05:31] Marissa Pinson: "Claudia Perry is Brad's mother."

• [22:03] Lee Perry: "Why would you shave yourself from head to foot if you had nothing to do with this crime?"

• [25:28] Scott Cosgrove: "Mr. Griffin was being released from federal custody... how do you explain that?"

Final Thoughts:

This episode of Cold Case Files serves as a poignant reminder of the profound impact unsolved crimes can have on victims' families and the communities involved. Through dedicated investigation and the evolution of forensic technologies, "The Night Shift" exemplifies how tenacity and modern science can bring justice, even decades later.