Cold Case Files – The Rifkin Murders Part 1 (Aired January 27, 2026)
Podcast: Cold Case Files
Host: Paula Barros
Network: A&E / PodcastOne
Episode Overview
In this gripping episode, Cold Case Files dives deep into one of the most notorious serial murder investigations in New York history: the case of Joel Rifkin. Part 1 of the series traces an 18-month cold case investigation launched in 2021, focused on identifying two of Rifkin’s still-unknown victims—Victim 6 and Victim 9. The narrative weaves together chilling first-hand accounts, the tenacity of modern investigators, and the advanced forensic tools now being used to finally provide answers to families left in the dark for over three decades.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Introduction to Joel Rifkin’s Crimes
- Joel Rifkin, arrested in 1993, confessed to killing 17 women, making him the most prolific serial killer in New York State history.
- Despite his confessions, two victims (6 and 9) remain unidentified (01:14).
- The cold case investigation reopened in 2021 due to potential new DNA techniques and an unusual alliance: TV producer Peter Rice engaging directly with Rifkin.
"This is one of those rare stories. After three decades, investigators are following new leads in the Joel Rifkin cold case." – Paula Barros (01:31)
2. Peter Rice’s Unlikely Partnership with Rifkin
- Peter Rice recounts his sustained communication with Rifkin, initially begun in 1998 for a documentary on biological causes of violence (02:05).
- In 2004, Rifkin agreed to a detailed interview covering all his murders, resulting in an invaluable, comprehensive record (02:38).
- Rice’s motive is partly personal—he lost his sister as a child and wants to help other families find closure (05:43).
"The whole point of this mission is to try to identify these women... to give their families the closure that they deserve." – Peter Rice (05:43)
3. Rifkin’s Detailed Memory and Evidentiary Breakthroughs
- Rifkin’s recollection of his crimes, including the sequence of victims and specifics about jewelry he kept as trophies, proved invaluable (03:41).
- Rice hypothesizes that preserved jewelry from the crimes, stored for decades by police, could yield DNA and help identify victims using investigative genetic genealogy (05:20).
- Rifkin provides significant clues—such as the description of plastic quartz crystal “rock candy” earrings belonging to Victim 6, professing partial willingness to assist (06:18, 34:20).
"There was a very good chance that the police had that jewelry in evidence, and they could potentially get a DNA sample off of that jewelry." – Peter Rice (06:35)
4. Law Enforcement Perspective and Challenges
- Major Crimes Investigator Tiffany Attai and Senior Investigator Sean Lammons join the case, expressing initial skepticism regarding Rifkin’s motives and the accuracy of his memories (08:06, 10:02).
- Both investigators have personal connections to violent crime, fueling their passion for justice and closure for families (08:53).
- Cold Case Files documents how, despite doubts, investigators must pursue any credible lead, especially in such significant, unresolved cases (08:36).
"I've always been interested in major crimes... growing up I saw how that affected my family. It's affected them throughout the years. That's what drives me to do this work." – Tiffany Attai (08:53)
5. Early Crime Scene Discoveries and FBI Profiling
- Retired Detective Bruce Carnall describes the harrowing discovery of decapitated remains by golfers and fishermen near a creek in Hopewell Township, later confirmed to be matched via DNA. Profiling at the time was cutting-edge, but attempts to link cases failed for lack of collaboration and overwhelming murder rates in NYC (11:19, 13:25).
- FBI Special Agent Greg McCrae’s early profile proved prescient: a young, lone white male, mobile, methodical in destroying evidence (13:25).
"It takes someone who is coldly psychopathic, and by that I mean no guilt, no empathy, no remorse." – Greg McCrae (13:36)
6. Chaos of New York City During Rifkin’s Crime Spree
- Rifkin operated during the late '80s and early '90s “crack epidemic,” a period so violent police couldn't connect his murders (14:25).
- All victims were sex workers, often marginalized and less aggressively searched for, enabling Rifkin to avoid detection for years.
- Several bodies were disposed of in waterways and oil drums; some remain missing to this day (19:41).
"All of the victims were sex workers. They're consistently one of the most disenfranchised sectors of society." – Robert Mladenich (16:15)
7. Breakthrough and Rifkin’s Arrest (1993)
- Officer Sean Ruane recounts the fateful traffic stop: a routine patrol escalated into a chase, ending with the discovery of Rifkin’s 17th victim in the back of his truck (23:03–24:38).
- Rifkin promptly confessed, listing all victims and dumping locations, leading to an intensive full-force law enforcement response (27:18–28:17).
"He was just under arrest in the patrol vehicle. Rifkin has told police he's a serial killer. His operation consisted of picking up the woman, having sex with them, killing them, and disposing of them." – Officer Ruane (25:01–25:14)
8. Case Review, New Forensic Techniques, and Search for Victims’ Identity
- Investigators work to match descriptions of jewelry: “rock candy”/quartz crystal earrings—crucial evidence in identifying Victim 6 (31:45–34:49).
- With the items retrieved and isolated for DNA testing, painstaking forensic work is underway to glean whatever ancient DNA may remain after decades (36:38–37:24).
- Investigators believe they may be able to exhume the remains of Victim 9 from Hart Island for DNA testing (29:55).
"The next step is we had to go into the evidence container to retrieve them." – Tiffany Attai (36:13)
9. Humanizing the Victims
- Tiffany Bresciani’s aunt emphasizes the humanity and dignity of the murdered women, often lost amid sensational media coverage (29:15).
"All of these girls were real people and they deserved respect for that." – Tiffany Bresciani’s aunt, Debbie Surla (29:41)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On the interconnectedness of evidence and opportunity:
"When I started to put together the investigative genetic genealogy and Rifkin keeping trophies... a light bulb went off in my head." – Peter Rice (05:20)
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On the magnitude of preserved evidence:
"There's so much evidence from this case it's insane... it really shows the reign of terror he committed in New York during those years." – Tiffany Attai (19:15)
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Detective’s reaction to the horrific crime scenes:
"I’ve been on the job... maybe ten years or more. And I had to run out of the room, I was about to get sick." – Detective Ramon Aguilar (20:36)
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On the never-ending impact for law enforcement:
"Routine traffic stops were never routine ever again." – Officer Ruane (25:37)
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On the weight of evidence containers:
"It's so much more than just the container itself. It's years and years of murders. It's years and years of work." – Investigator (36:44)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Rifkin’s initial confession and crime spree summary – 01:14–02:38
- Peter Rice describes his relationship with Rifkin – 02:05–05:43
- Breakthrough with DNA/genealogy and jewelry evidence – 06:18–08:06
- Inner thoughts of investigators Attai & Lammons – 08:06–10:38
- Discovery of decapitated remains & FBI profiling – 11:19–14:19
- Chaos in NYC, context for unsolved cases – 14:25–17:11
- Rifkin’s arrest and subsequent confessions – 22:56–28:17
- Evidence search and forensics review – 31:45–37:24
Conclusion & Next Steps
The episode closes with investigators on the cusp of new discoveries: they have retrieved the crucial jewelry described by Rifkin, now to be tested with cutting-edge DNA technology, while the potential exhumation of Victim 9’s remains offers further hope. The episode ends with the promise of Part 2, as Cold Case Files continues its relentless pursuit of justice—bringing names, stories, and ultimately dignity back to forgotten victims.
"We are one step closer from where we were in 1993. Rifkin's talking and he's giving information. So I’m hopeful that we're gonna get answers one way or another." – Investigator Tiffany Attai (29:41)
[Part 2 airs next week.]