Crime House True Crime Stories: Episode Summary Title: COLD CASES: Boy in the Box & The Baltimore Billboard Murder
Host: Vanessa Richardson
Release Date: February 24, 2025

Introduction

In this gripping episode of Crime House True Crime Stories, host Vanessa Richardson delves into two harrowing cold cases that have baffled investigators for decades. Centered around the theme of unresolved mysteries, the episode explores the tragic discovery of the Boy in the Box in 1957 and the unsolved murder of Jody LeCornue in Baltimore in 1996. Both cases highlight the relentless pursuit of justice by determined individuals and the enduring hope that one day answers will emerge.

Case 1: The Boy in the Box

Discovery and Initial Investigation [00:04 - 03:01]

On February 24, 1957, Freddy Richardson recounts how a 26-year-old college student stumbled upon a cardboard box in the wooded outskirts of Philadelphia's Fox Chase neighborhood. What initially appeared to be an ordinary doll turned out to be the lifeless body of a four-year-old boy, later dubbed the "Boy in the Box."

Vanessa Richardson narrates:

"The abuse may have been what killed him. It appeared that he died from blunt force trauma, but aside from that, there weren't any obvious clues that told them who the boy was or who killed him." [01:45]

The police faced immense challenges in identifying the boy. The only substantial evidence was the JCPenney bassinet box and a corduroy cap found nearby. Despite tracing the cap to a store and obtaining a suspect description—a man around 25 years old—the police couldn't locate him. Additional eyewitness reports failed to yield useful leads, leaving the case cold.

Persistent Investigation and Breakthroughs [03:01 - 26:34]

Despite numerous dead ends, Remington Bristow, an investigator in the medical examiner's office, became obsessed with the case. His relentless efforts included unconventional methods such as consulting a psychic, which led him to a foster home where he discovered a white bassinet matching the one from the box. However, these leads proved inconclusive.

Years later, in 1999, advancements in DNA technology provided a new avenue for solving the case. An international team successfully extracted a degraded DNA sample, which was then uploaded to the genealogy database Gedmatch. This breakthrough allowed investigators to identify Joseph Augustus Zarrilli as the boy in the box in October 2021:

"In December 2022, investigators held a press conference. They revealed Joseph's name and everything they'd learned about him." [25:45]

While identifying Joseph was a monumental achievement, the search for his killer remains ongoing. Authorities are still piecing together the circumstances surrounding his death, with privacy protections delaying the disclosure of his parents' identities.

Case 2: The Baltimore Billboard Murder

The Crime [27:29 - 46:00]

Transitioning to Baltimore, Vanessa Richardson outlines the chilling murder of 23-year-old Jody LeCornue on March 2, 1996. Jody, a student at Towson State University, was found shot to death in her white Honda Civic in a strip mall parking lot. Despite eyewitness accounts describing the assailant as a black male in his 20s or 30s wearing a green army camo jacket, the case quickly went cold.

Richardson quotes Jody's father, John LeCornue:

"I channeled my grief into helping however I could, looking over newspaper articles and crime scene photos." [30:15]

Investigators explored various motives, including robbery and potential retaliation related to John's role as a prosecutor, but no substantial leads emerged. Jody's sister, Jennifer Carreri, frustrated by the lack of progress, took matters into her own hands years later.

Jennifer Carreri's Advocacy [46:00 - 27:29]

Inspired by the film Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Jennifer launched a campaign to keep her sister's case in the public eye. She invested thousands of dollars in billboards offering rewards for information and utilized social media platforms to gather support. Despite these efforts, advancements in DNA technology yielded no new evidence, and the investigation remains unresolved.

Jennifer reflects:

"She's always hoping that one day when the phone rings, there will be some answers on the other end of the line." [40:20]

The case of Jody LeCornue underscores the emotional toll that cold cases take on victims' families and the enduring hope that justice will eventually prevail.

Conclusion: Reflections on Cold Cases

Vanessa Richardson concludes by highlighting the immense challenges inherent in solving cold cases. The stories of Joseph Zarrilli and Jody LeCornue illustrate not only the difficulties in gathering and preserving evidence over time but also the profound emotional impact on those seeking closure.

She remarks:

"Cold cases can be devastating because of how long it takes to get any kind of closure or answers. And sometimes those answers never come." [45:50]

Despite the passage of time and the fading of initial investigative leads, the unwavering dedication of individuals like Remington Bristow and Jennifer Carreri serves as a testament to the enduring human spirit in the quest for justice.

Final Thoughts

This episode of Crime House True Crime Stories poignantly captures the relentless pursuit of truth in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. Through meticulous storytelling and emotional depth, Vanessa Richardson honors the memories of Joseph Zarrilli and Jody LeCornue, reminding listeners of the importance of perseverance and hope in the darkest of mysteries.

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