Culpable - Secondary Scene | Episode 4

Release Date: September 15, 2025
Host: Dennis Cooper
Podcast: Culpable (Tenderfoot TV & Audacy)
Case: The 1998 death of 17-year-old Danny Violette

Episode Overview

In this installment of "Culpable: Secondary Scene," host Dennis Cooper delves deeper into the complex investigation surrounding the death of Danny Violette, whose body was discovered in a cornfield after an 11-day disappearance in 1998. The episode focuses on new forensic insights, interviews with Danny’s advocates, questions around evidence, and continued efforts to reexamine potential motives and circumstances. Central to this episode is a compelling conversation with Dr. Diane Scala Barnett, the original forensic pathologist, as well as thoughtful input from supporters and law enforcement. The episode explores the ever-present uncertainty plaguing Danny’s family and advocates, highlighting the emotional toll, procedural coldness, and the quest for answers in a decades-old case.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Lingering Pain of Unanswered Questions

• Emotional Impact on Family & Advocates (01:24–04:28)

  • Supporters Danielle and Eric reflect on their growing involvement, shaped by both personal grief and empathy for Danny’s family.

  • Danielle connects her own tragic loss (her infant daughter) to the Violette family’s prolonged search for answers.

    • Quote:
      "You really do feel like I failed my one job... that guilt, like, what could I have done differently?" — Danielle (07:14)

  • The episode powerfully frames the difference between closure and ambiguity: Danielle and Eric’s ability to learn the cause of their daughter’s death becomes a lens for empathy.

2. Perceptions and Misconceptions Surrounding Danny’s Death

• Community Stigma & Media Narratives (08:37–09:35)

  • Danielle is driven by the need to correct misconceptions that have portrayed Danny as responsible for his fate due to rumors about his lifestyle.

    • Quote:
      "Danny didn’t do anything to deserve this... they victimized Danny all over again by portraying him in a way that he asked for this..." — Danielle (08:37)

  • These false narratives hinder sympathy and cloud public understanding.

3. Forensic Re-examination and Law Enforcement Perspectives

• Autopsy Details and Law Enforcement Theories (09:35–16:45)
  • Lt. Bill Duncan suggests possible accidental death via asphyxiation unrelated to ligature, speculating on seizures or drug use.
    • Quote:
      "We have to be open to the fact that he may have experienced a seizure that resulted in him choking and asphyxiating." — Lt. Duncan (09:35)
  • Detective Jim Gillum also leaves open the possibility of accidental death but expresses frustration at lingering ambiguity.
  • Host Dennis Cooper introduces Dr. Diane Scala Barnett, lead pathologist on the case, who remains unsatisfied due to the lack of investigative updates.
    • Quote:
      "I don't like loose ends. I don't like cases out there that I think are solvable and never come to fruition." — Diane (16:45)

4. Detailed Forensic Analysis from Dr. Scala Barnett

• Key Medical Findings (17:10–27:15)
  • Ligature Mark: Diagonal mark, more consistent with hanging, but lack of scene supports otherwise.
  • Mechanism: Diane confidently rules out accident; asphyxiation via ligature is likely.
    • Quote:
      "You don't accidentally get a ligature mark around your neck. So I have two possibilities. Please investigate." — Diane (18:03)
  • Possible Weapon:
    • Rigid, smooth object (likely a belt with no sub-pattern or buckle mark, implying both ends held during assault).
    • Quote:
      "I think it’s a belt, if you want to know the truth. I think it’s a stiff belt, not a cloth belt... no buckle mark..." — Diane (22:29)
  • Body Movement:
    • Postmortem movement is evident (body was found face up, but injuries suggest being moved).
    • Unusual location of the body indicates it was "dumped" (26:25–27:15).
    • Quote:
      "It's a secondary scene and he's got no drag marks. He wasn't dragged through the field." — Diane (27:15)
  • Postmortem Injuries:
    • Unusual tire tread across torso (possibly an ATV or dirt bike), but notable that only one tread, not two, appears.

5. Evidence Testing & DNA Challenges

• Summary of DNA/Forensic Results (31:11–36:32)

  • Major Evidence:

    • Minimal foreign DNA found; most tests inconclusive or insufficient quality for comparison.
    • $6 ripped-up bills found near the body (potential for touch DNA, but not tested fully).
    • Rectal swab revealed semen—likely Danny’s, though origin indeterminate.
    • No evidence of sexual assault per autopsy.
    • Quote:
      "You can’t make up something that’s not there." — Diane (36:32)

  • Cold Case Forensics: Evidence is still preserved, and improved modern DNA analysis may one day yield more answers.

    • Quote:
      "It takes less now to develop a DNA profile than it did 25 years ago." — Diane (38:08)

6. Ongoing Cold Case Investigation and Community Roles

• Reinvigorated Advocacy (38:42–39:27)
  • Emphasis on the power of a single new piece of information.
    • Quote:
      "It only takes one person to come forward with a little piece of information that you don't have... That's the beauty of the cold case investigations." — Diane (38:42)
  • Tiffin University’s Cold Case Fellowship, led by Professor Michael Curtis, is actively investigating Danny’s case, aiming to generate new leads.

Notable Quotes & Moments (With Timestamps)

• "You really do feel like I failed my one job... what could I have done differently?"
  — Danielle, on survivor’s guilt after losing her child (07:14)
• "Danny didn’t do anything to deserve this... they victimized Danny all over again..."
  — Danielle, on correcting public perception (08:37)
• "We have to be open to the fact that he may have experienced a seizure..."
  — Lt. Bill Duncan, on possible accidental death (09:35)
• "I don't like loose ends. I don't like having cases out there that I think are solvable..."
  — Dr. Diane Scala Barnett, on her lifelong dedication (16:45)
• "You don't accidentally get a ligature mark around your neck."
  — Diane, on the evidence for foul play (18:03)
• "I think it’s a belt... both ends are being held."
  — Diane identifying the potential murder weapon (22:29)
• "It's a secondary scene and he's got no drag marks..."
  — Diane on the likelihood that Danny was killed elsewhere (27:15)
• "You can't make up something that's not there."
  — Diane, dismissing unsupported sexual assault theories (36:32)
• "It only takes one person to come forward with a little piece of information..."
  — Diane, on hope for cold case resolution (38:42)

Key Segments & Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment | |--------------|-----------------------------------------------------| | 01:24–04:28 | Danielle & Eric’s introduction, empathy and advocacy| | 05:48–08:14 | Danielle’s personal loss and its impact | | 09:35–12:43 | Law enforcement’s evolving theories | | 14:51–16:45 | Introduction to Dr. Diane Scala Barnett | | 17:10–27:15 | Detailed forensic analysis with Dr. Scala Barnett | | 31:11–36:32 | Evidence, DNA, and forensic roadblocks | | 36:55–39:27 | The role of cold case squads and continued advocacy |

Conclusion / Forward Look

This episode underscores the limitations of forensic evidence in the context of a decades-old mystery, highlighting the gaps left when key pieces—like scene details or candid witness/insider information—remain elusive. Yet, the relentless commitment of Danny’s advocates, the methodical expertise of Dr. Scala Barnett, and the energy of emerging investigative teams provide hope that the case may yet be solved. Dennis Cooper’s reporting invites listeners to empathize with the victims’ families and support efforts to break the silence—that "one person with a piece of information" may still be out there. The episode closes with anticipation for the next entry, hinting at new leads from the Tiffin University Cold Case Fellowship.

If you have information about this case, visit culpablepodcast.com or contact the Huron County Sheriff's Office at 419-668-691 or use the website form.