Criminology Podcast – Episode 398: The Valentine's Day Mysteries

Hosts: Mike Ferguson & Mike Morford
Date: February 22, 2026

Episode Overview

In this deeply moving installment, hosts Mike Ferguson and Mike Morford examine two true crime cases tied to Valentine's Day: the 2007 murder of Jody Sarin in Carlsbad, California, and the 1982 murder of Carolyn Eaton (long known only as "Valentine Sally") in Arizona. Both stories highlight how tragic events can forever alter the meaning of holidays for victims' families, as well as the complex mix of hope, guilt, and relief that comes with long investigative journeys—one ending in resolution, and the other still seeking justice.

Case 1: The Murder of Jody Sarin

(Carlsbad, California; 2007)

Jody Sarin’s Life and Situation

• Background: Jody (39) was high-functioning but mentally disabled; some reports mention schizophrenia.
• Living Arrangements: Lived independently, supported by parents Arthur and Lois, who stayed actively involved in her daily life.
  [03:52]

  “She was able to live independently…It wasn’t too far from their own home, so it was nice for them to have that peace of mind…” — Mike Ferguson

The Night of Valentine’s Day

• Parents’ Concern: After several unanswered calls, Arthur and Lois visited her condo post-date, found the chain-latched door, and forced entry.
  [04:35]
• Shocking Scene: Arthur discovered a man in Jody’s bedroom, seeming to be engaged in sex with her. Awkwardly, he withdrew to the living room to wait, believing it to be consensual.

  “Arthur made his way into the bedroom, but stopped immediately. He was caught off guard by a man who was in Jody’s room standing over her…” — Mike Ferguson [05:49]

• Terrifying Realization: When Arthur later checked again, the man was gone. Jody was dead. Immediate efforts at CPR were unsuccessful.

  “He had walked in on his daughter being sexually assaulted long after she was dead.” — Mike Morford [08:24]

The Crime Scene & Investigation

• Physical Evidence:

  • The killer left his shoes at the door (per Jody’s preference).

    “In his rush to leave…he didn’t grab them. This seemed like an indication that perhaps Jody did know her killer…” — Mike Ferguson [09:46]

  • Jody suffered strangulation, blunt force trauma, and defensive wounds.
  • DNA was collected but did not match anyone in CODIS.

• Disturbing Details:

  • The killer staged the room after death (covering windows, positioning a mirror to watch himself — likened to “American Psycho”).

    “It’s almost out of, like, a scene out of American Psycho… It’s really disturbing…” — Mike Ferguson [12:38]

  • He lingered hours after the murder, engaging in necrophilic acts.

Breakthrough, Resolution, and Aftermath

• Identification of Suspect (2018):

  • Parabon Nanolabs and forensic genealogist Barbara Rae Venter used Y-STR and DNA profiles to identify the killer as transient David Aaron Mabrido, who had died in 2011 by suicide (likely threatened by imminent DNA cataloguing).

    “She ended up finding the killer’s family tree and came up with the last name Mabrido…” — Mike Morford [16:25]
    “Sadly, David Mabrido would never be held accountable…he had died in January 2011.” — Mike Ferguson [17:12]

• Family Dynamics and Compassion:

  • Mabrido’s ex-wife and son volunteered DNA, were honored for their courage.
  • Jody’s parents showed concern for Mabrido’s family after learning the truth.

    “Art and Lois being worried about Dylan. Imagine what type of compassion people have…” — Mike Morford [24:58]

• Unanswered Questions:

  • Relationship between Jody and Mabrido remains unclear; possible connections through volunteering.

Emotional Impact

• On Holidays:
  • Jody’s parents traveled each Valentine’s Day to escape painful memories.
• On Guilt:
  • Arthur struggled with guilt over not intervening further.

    “He probably had wrestled for years: What if I had stopped him, would it have made a difference?” — Mike Ferguson [28:23]

Case 2: The Murder of Carolyn Eaton (“Valentine Sally”)

(Arizona; 1982)

Disappearance and Discovery

• Carolyn’s Background: 17, ran away from home in Missouri after a family argument at Christmas 1981.
• Valentine’s Day, 1982:
  • Ten days after a waitress (Patty Wilkins) saw a teenage girl with a much older trucker at a truck stop, the girl’s body was found near I-40, AZ.
  • She suffered a toothache at the stop; Patty treated it with aspirin. After they left together, the body, with wadded aspirin still in her teeth, was discovered.
• Initial Investigation:
  • The victim dubbed “Valentine Sally.”
  • Details: Jeans dragged by belt loops, bra and sweater found nearby, possible suffocation but cause of death unclear due to decomposition.
• Key Eyewitness (Patty):

  “Patty recalled…the man at the truck stop had been wearing a brown leather vest and a cowboy hat with a peacock feather…” — Mike Morford [33:10]

• Failed Identification Attempts:
  • Erroneously thought to be missing Florida teen Melody Cutlip; even placed Melody’s name on the headstone. Melody later reappeared alive in 1986.

The Breakthrough

• Advances in Forensics:
  • In 2021, genetic genealogy linked the body to Carolyn Eaton, missing since 1981. Family finally received closure.

    “Forty years after she died, investigators were able to confirm that Valentine Sally was actually 17-year-old Carolyn Celeste Eaton.” — Mike Morford [40:23]

• Eyewitness’ Emotional Burden:
  • Patty Wilkins lived with guilt for years; ultimately relieved Carolyn was identified and reunited with her family, at least in name.

  “She may not have been Carolyn's family, but she has spent years caring deeply about the girl she feels she let walk out the door and to her death.” — Mike Morford [41:37] “I could have done a million different things that I didn’t do… I could have pulled her off that truck…” — Patty Wilkins [41:37]

The Unsolved Murder

• The Suspect:
  • Still unidentified; believed to have been the older truck driver.
  • Distinctive: likely 50s, 5'10", vest, cowboy hat with peacock feather.
  • Listeners encouraged to contact Coconino County Sheriff's Office with info: 800-338-7888 [45:28]
• Challenges & Context:
  • Hitchhiking and 1980s long-haul trucking made tracking and abduction all too easy.

  “It was definitely a dangerous time, hitchhiking. And then you have truck drivers that…if somebody wanted to be a predator and pick up a young girl…it would be easy to take them to a whole other location." — Mike Ferguson [47:26]

• Impact on Families:
  • Carolyn’s mother died without learning her daughter’s fate.

Key Themes & Insights

The Lasting Impact of Tragedy on Holidays

• Holidays become sources of pain rather than joy for victims’ families:

  “For them, Valentine’s Day will never be the same again.” — Mike Morford [02:25]

Advances in Forensic Technology

• Forensic genealogy is revolutionizing cold case investigation, bringing closure but sometimes matches come too late for justice.

  “I continue to be amazed at what some of this technology can do…running down family trees, finding the killer through that family tree. It’s really compelling stuff.” — Mike Morford [18:02] “It was, like, so revolutionary and new and exciting…” — Mike Ferguson [19:00]

The Burden of Guilt

• Even the innocent bystanders or family members burden themselves with guilt over circumstances beyond their control.

  “There’s guilt or the feeling of guilt. Whether or not that person should feel it, that’s a different question.” — Mike Morford [43:15] “I think most people would agree [Patty] has no reason to feel guilty.” — Mike Ferguson [44:03]

Compassion Across Tragedy

• Empathy between victims’ and perpetrators’ families illustrates humanity’s capacity for forgiveness and understanding:

  “Art and Lois being worried about Dylan…imagine what type of compassion..." — Mike Morford [24:58] “These people were through these awful circumstances, connected and…care about what happens to one another.” — Mike Ferguson [24:58]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Realizing the Horror:

  “He had walked in on his daughter being sexually assaulted long after she was dead.” — Mike Morford [08:24]

• On Scientific Progress:

  “Who knows, if they can do all this now, five, ten years down the road, they might be able to do even more groundbreaking stuff.” — Mike Ferguson [19:00]

• On Compassion:

  “Imagine what type of compassion people have to have to be worried about the son of their daughter's killer.” — Mike Morford [24:58]

• On Identification’s Importance:

  “Now she’s got a family. Isn’t that great? It doesn’t get any better. I love you, and I’m glad you’re going home.” — Patty Wilkins [42:28]

Important Timestamps

• [03:52] – Jody Sarin’s background and family dynamic
• [05:49] – The moment Arthur discovers the man in Jody’s bedroom
• [12:38] – Discussion of mirror staging and necrophilia
• [16:25] – Parabon Nanolabs and genealogist breakthroughs in Jody’s case
• [24:58] – Families’ mutual compassion after murderer is identified
• [31:05] – Timeline of “Valentine Sally” at the truck stop
• [40:23] – Valentine Sally identified as Carolyn Eaton via genetic genealogy
• [45:28] – Call for information and suspect description
• [47:26] – Context on dangers of long-haul trucking, hitchhiking
• [49:53] – Contrasting closure and continued pain in both families

Conclusion

The episode powerfully juxtaposes a solved and an unsolved Valentine’s Day murder, drawing out themes of grief, hope, technological innovation, guilt, and unexpected compassion. Whether illuminating the patience required for closure or the enduring cost of not knowing, the hosts treat each story with sensitivity and insight, reminding listeners of the very real families behind every headline.

If you have tips about the Carolyn Eaton murder, please contact:
Coconino County Sheriff’s Office: 800-338-7888