Episode Overview

Podcast: Crime Junkie
Episode Title: MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF: Rowena Wilkinson Zapalac
Release Date: December 8, 2025
Host(s): Ashley Flowers & Brit Prawat

In this gripping episode, Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat unravel the mysterious and long-overlooked death of Rowena Wilkinson Zapalac in 1984 rural Texas. Prompted by Rowena’s sister Jolita’s quest for truth after decades of shame and silence, the hosts challenge the official story of a “suicide by masturbation,” investigate links to other suspicious deaths in the same town, and uncover connections to possible suspects—both infamous serial killer Robert Charles Brown and a local man with surprising ties to the victims. The episode exposes police oversights, lost evidence, and small-town reluctance that have helped keep the truth buried for 40 years.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jolita Wilkinson’s Plea and Case Background

• Jolita’s Motivation: Jolita Wilkinson, Rowena’s younger sister, contacts Crime Junkie to help “rewrite the false narrative around her sister’s death”—an event painted as shameful and accidental by police and local culture at the time. Jolita waited until after her parents’ passing before trying to find answers, motivated by her nephew (Rowena’s son) living with a painful and suspicious legacy (02:17).
  • Quote: “I hate that my nephew has lived the past 40 years believing his mom accidentally killed herself masturbating.” (02:17 | Ashley Flowers reading Jolita’s words)
• Initial Reporting: Rowena, age 20, was found dead in her studio apartment. Death ruled as accidental—likely autoerotic asphyxiation—on flimsy evidence. The stigma and embarrassment kept the family from pushing the sheriff for more investigation (04:35).
• Crime Scene Red Flags: When Jolita and her father went to clean the apartment, they found disturbing evidence not in police reports: pennies scattered, a broken acrylic nail with blood, water in the shower, broken kitchen windowglass—none mentioned in the official records. The “investigation” was cursory, and the family’s suspicions ignored (04:35-08:03).

2. Questioning the Suicide Narrative

• Unrecorded Evidence: Jolita found her sister’s bloody acrylic nail, gave it to her father, who said he passed it to investigators—but no trace of it was found in case files.
• Crime Scene Oddities: Rowena’s body nude, with blood and other unexplained substances noted; sperm found on bed and in her body; non-matching hair on the sheet; and unexplained bruises—none followed up as evidence of a struggle.
  • “Her pillowcases also had specks of blood on them, and there were hairs in her bed sheet, that didn't belong to her.” (10:48 | Ashley Flowers)
• Autopsy Bombshell:
  • “Symmetrical linear bruises are present on the inner aspect of both upper arms…the result of the subject being gripped from behind…fingertips produced four separate symmetrical bruises on each side.” (12:03 | Britt, reading from autopsy)
• Authorities’ Justification:
  • An X-ray receipt (incorrectly supposed to imply a terminal illness).
  • Rumors of a previous overdose, allegedly told to police by Rowena’s boss Joel.
  • No forced entry reported, despite the window break and an unlocked door.
  • Brit: “But there was signs of forced entry. They just didn't write it down. I mean, the window was broken. Also, newsflash, her door didn't even lock.” (14:47)

3. Link to Serial Killer Robert Charles Brown

• Introduction of Robert Charles Brown: Years later, Texas Rangers contact Jolita asking if Rowena knew Melody Bush—a woman murdered months prior in the same town, last seen at the same bar.
• Brown’s “Confession”: Brown, serving time for other murders, wrote enigmatic and contradictory letters about the Bush case but denied knowledge of Rowena.
  • Brown’s Letter (Voice Actor): “A very small town seemed to be my best bet…The town I chose is Flatonia, Texas…The year was approximately 1984 or 1985. A young woman was killed…” (22:51)
• Issues with Brown’s Details: His description of the Melody Bush murder didn't match the autopsy report. He demanded money for answers, and his confessions were vague, possibly invented for infamy rather than truth (25:02-36:44).
• Ashley’s Analysis: Brown’s MO’s were all over the place, making it impossible to dismiss him, but their own reporting suggested he’s unlikely responsible for Rowena (37:05).

4. Alternative Suspect: Cooper Cherry

• Surprising Local Connections: Investigators (and Crime Junkie’s reporter Jen Amell) discover that Cooper Cherry, a local man, is linked to both Rowena and Melody.
  • Cooper’s ex-wife Ruby was Rowena’s neighbor and the person who found her body. Cooper was present with Melody Bush hours before she disappeared, and his movements around Rowena’s death are uncertain due to conflicting witness accounts.
  • “It could be a weird coincidence, it could be something else. My spidey senses were like, I don't know, feels like something else.” (46:54 | Ashley Flowers)
• Cherry Family Influence: Cooper came from a powerful local family, which may explain the silence of witnesses and lack of thorough investigations.
  • Thomas (Rowena’s husband): “Cooper is from a prominent family in Flatonia…So he's like, I could see a world where Cooper doesn't have more of a record, because when you have the right connections life is a bit easier for you…” (53:56)

5. Pattern of Suspicious Deaths

• Three Women Connected to Cooper:
  • Rowena Wilkinson Zapalac: “suicide” in 1984.
  • Melody Bush: confirmed homicide in 1984, last seen at Stag Club (also linked to Brown’s claims).
  • Rhonda Stahl: Cooper’s first wife, died in a 1980 car accident under questionable circumstances (no autopsy, presumed accident).
  • “Let me try to get this straight. Cooper Cherry is now connected to three women who all died in some sort of violent way.” (51:15 | Britt)
• Pattern or Coincidence? Ashley questions if this is just bad luck or something more sinister, given the lack of negative stories about Cooper despite the pattern (51:35).

6. Community Silence & Ongoing Efforts

• Reluctant Witnesses: Many people, including Rowena’s former boss and others present at the time, refuse to talk—possibly due to town loyalties, connections, or fear.
  • “You don't care to do it as because you don't wish to do it.” (52:54 | Jenna interviewing “Jessica” the boss)
• Jolita’s Campaign: Jolita has started a petition to reclassify Rowena’s death as homicide, hoping this will trigger a new investigation. As of recording, local authorities seem open to talking, and the Texas Rangers and Attorney General have contacted her about reopening the case (55:44).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [02:17] Ashley Flowers (reading Jolita):
  “I hate that my nephew has lived the past 40 years believing his mom accidentally killed herself masturbating.”
• [12:03] Britt (reading autopsy):
  “Symmetrical linear bruises…[suggest] the subject being gripped from behind…the tips of fingers produced four separate symmetrical bruises on each side.”
• [14:47] Britt:
  “But there was signs of forced entry. They just didn't write it down. I mean, the window was broken. Also, newsflash, her door didn't even lock. Like, how can you force entry in a door that's not even locked? Like, what are we doing here?”
• [22:51] Robert Charles Brown (voice actor, letter):
  “A very small town seemed to be my best bet. Small towns don't forget such rare happenings. The town I chose is Flatonia, Texas…A young woman was killed and her body was found near this town.”
• [36:17] Robert Charles Brown (voice actor, letter):
  “Sorry, I can't help you. I know nothing about the person you are inquiring about. If I knew anything at all, I would tell you. I am old and near the end of my life and have no reason to conceal anything. I am Truly sorry. If you would send me some funds, I would greatly appreciate it.”
• [51:15] Britt:
  “Let me try to get this straight. Cooper Cherry is now connected to three women who all died in some sort of violent way. But this is shocking. It seems like no one has a bad word to say about this guy. It kind of feels like he's just cursed.”
• [53:56] Ashley Flowers (about Thomas’ perspective):
  “So he's like, I could see a world where Cooper doesn't have more of a record, because when you have the right connections life is a bit easier for you…”
• [55:44] Ashley Flowers:
  “…if you have any information on the deaths of Rowena or Melody Bush, please contact the Fayette County Sheriff's office…”

Important Timestamps

• 02:17 – Jolita’s email: setting the stakes
• 04:35 – Discoveries at Rowena’s apartment; evidence ignored by police
• 08:03 – Missing evidence, discrepancies between the autopsy report and police records
• 12:03 – Autopsy details about bruises suggestive of a struggle
• 14:47 – Discussion of forced entry and police oversights
• 17:04 – Texas Rangers’ call about Melody Bush and Robert Charles Brown
• 22:51 – Robert Charles Brown’s cryptic letter
• 36:17 – Brown’s denial of Rowena’s murder and attempts at extortion
• 39:47 – Linking Cooper Cherry to both Rowena and Melody’s deaths
• 51:15 – Discussion of Cooper’s “cursed” connections and local power
• 55:44 – Jolita’s campaign and new interest from Texas authorities

Takeaway and Call to Action

Ashley and Brit close by reaffirming their belief that Rowena Wilkinson Zapalac was murdered and that the case deserves to be officially reopened now that witnesses still live. The episode serves as both a damning critique of shoddy police work and community silence, and an encouraging report on what determined family members—and investigative journalism—can still accomplish.

If you have tips or information:
Contact the Fayette County Sheriff's Office: 979-968-5856 or tips@audiochuck.com