Dark Downeast Podcast Summary

Episode: STILL UNSOLVED: The Murder of John Evers Robinson (Connecticut)
Airdate: February 5, 2026
Host: Kylie Low

Episode Overview

This episode of Dark Downeast revisits the haunting and unsolved 1990 murder of John Evers Robinson, a 24-year-old Black musician active in New Haven’s vibrant punk scene. More than three decades later, his family—especially his sister, Jocelyn Jackson—continues to seek justice. Integrating interviews, case details, and Jocelyn’s personal insights, the episode honors John’s legacy and urges new attention (and action) to break the silence that has left the case cold for so long.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Lasting Impact on Family (00:33–02:44)

• Jocelyn Jackson shares the enduring trauma of losing her big brother:
  • “That moment was the beginning of my instinct to never stop seeking for justice.” (00:47)
  • She’s kept the case momentum alive, currently through a Change.org petition to increase reward money and encourage witnesses to come forward.
  • Emphasizes how decades can pass for families, sometimes with knowledge of suspects but lacking enough evidence for resolution.

Who Was John Evers Robinson? (05:05–08:09)

• Remembered as a playful, caring big brother, a passionate musician (“Rockhead” on the punk scene), and a driven, resourceful young man.
• Jocelyn recalls:
  • "Those memories are almost always... laughter in them, because, you know, the hijinks of older brothers is just what it is.” (05:05)
• John’s art and political vision were channeled through his punk band Sold On Murder (SOM).
• Navigated a scene not always welcoming to Black musicians, yet remained “unassailably committed” to music and activism (08:09).

The Night of the Murder: Discovery and Forensics (02:44–13:36)

• Timeline:
  • March 14, 1990: Firefighters respond to a foul odor at 178 Temple St., discover John’s body in “the loft” (room 208), his music studio.
  • Scene revealed severe blunt force trauma (likely with a bat-shaped object); John was likely killed March 12.
  • Money ($200) and his ID were found on him, along with various keys—many with potential links (or red herrings) to suspects.
  • No drugs found at the scene, but an empty narcotics vial was present.

John’s Life in Transition Leading Up to His Death (09:26–10:33)

• John had become “houseless,” piecing together couch-surfing, day jobs (managing Ashley’s Ice Cream), and side hustles, including limited involvement in drug culture to support his music:
  • “He was always just trying to figure out… make ends meet in order to keep making music.” (09:48)
• Evidence suggests he was attempting a “bigger buy” just before his murder.

The 1990 Investigation: Main Suspects and Witnesses (13:36–34:15)

“Patrick” (a key witness/potential suspect):

• Initially claimed last contact with John was Friday, March 9, but later admitted to seeing John on March 12.
  • Explained new keys, strange check requests, and payments for the loft (16:35–18:34).
• Admitted hearing a violent confrontation in the loft (“where is it?”… “no!”… followed by loud thumps and crashes) but left out of “fear and not wanting to get involved.”
  • “At that point, I knew for sure John was dead.” (23:10)
• Later, Patrick and a friend’s shoes and fingerprints were found at the scene—possibly innocuous, as they’d often visited before.

“Hank” and “Cody” (drug-deal suspects):

• Allegedly set up a large marijuana purchase with John (witnesses and Cody himself corroborated a meeting and cash ATM run just before John’s disappearance).
• Known threats were made to John by these individuals over money owed.
• Police searched their apartments, seizing shoes, an iron pipe (wrapped with tape), and keys.

The New Haven Punk Scene’s Violent Subcultures:

• Tensions existed with elements of the “skinhead” scene, including White supremacist factions (“neo-Nazis”).
• Reports of past violent confrontations and threats linked to a stolen symbol, ongoing beef with specific bands, and ongoing harassment—some possibly racially motivated.
  • “Some people were punk because of the white supremacy of it all.” (25:48)
• One prominent skinhead, “Henry” (now a public figure), even called police to clarify his side. A baseball bat—a possible murder weapon per the medical examiner—was seized from his associates.

Forensic Outcomes and Stalled Progress:

• No weapon linked definitively to the murder; no shoe/print/blood evidence concretely tied to any suspect.
• No confessions; the case turned cold.
  • “But all of these things never led to substantive evidence. It never led to any confessions. It never led to anything that could concretely tie anyone to the murder. So it went inactive.” (34:15)

Renewed Hope: Modern Reinvestigations (34:32–36:06)

• FBI-provided evidence and modern forensic techniques reactivated the case in 2009 and again in 2023.
  • “There is evidence that’s still present from 1999 that can be tested with new technology.” (35:01)
• Still, crucial case files and updates are out of reach for the family and podcast.

Ongoing Mysteries and Theories (36:06–40:54)

• Key questions linger:
  • Was John killed over the drug deal, racial animosity, or a dispute with the skinheads/music scene?
  • How did the assailant(s) leave—a locked door, but also open window access?
  • Missing drums: Where did they go after being heard during altercation?
  • Many knew John likely had cash; if it was theft, why leave some behind?
• “Henry” has reinvented himself as a public entertainer, openly describing violence from his past, but never charged.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Jocelyn Jackson on her advocacy and grief:

  • “For 35 years I have not had peace. And I demand in my lifetime to have the resolution in my heart of what created these circumstances for my brother to be this brutally murdered and to have the release of that from what my entire family has carried all these years.” (43:47)
  • “One of the abiding heartbreaks of this experience is that my brother was alone, that he died alone… You took someone's son, you took someone's friend, you took someone's brother, you took someone's heart. And... We're still alive, living with that.” (44:25)

• On the punk scene’s complexities:

  • “What we know about the punk scene in New Haven is that it was filled with a variety of different folks with a variety of different motivations for being there. Some people were punk because of the politic of it all. Some people were punk because of the anarchy of it all. Some people were punk because of the white supremacy of it all.” (25:48)

• On the investigation’s stagnation:

  • “...never led to any confessions. It never led to anything that could concretely tie anyone to the murder. So it went inactive.” (34:15)

• On family legacy and healing:

  • “I was part of a band for a little bit when I was in law school and I was playing John's bass guitar... there’s these objects that we have from people that have passed away... how powerful it was... just that small embodiment of being in a circumstance that mirrored John's was so healing.” (41:28)

Important Timestamps

• 00:33: Jocelyn recalls the trauma of John’s death and the drive for justice
• 05:05: Jocelyn shares memories of her brother’s character and musical passion
• 10:12: Discussion of John’s risky means to support his art amid 1980s drug culture
• 13:36: “Patrick” describes his dealings with John and the check scheme
• 23:10: Patrick confesses hearing the fatal altercation in the studio
• 25:48: Jocelyn discusses the makeup of the punk and skinhead scenes
• 34:15: Reflection on the case going cold due to lack of evidence
• 35:01: Hope with DNA/forensic tech and FBI reactivation of the investigation
• 41:17: Jocelyn’s healing journey and her connection to John through music
• 43:47: Jocelyn’s message on justice, peace, and family legacy

Calls to Action

• If you have information regarding the 1990 murder of John Evers Robinson in New Haven, Connecticut:

  • Contact the Connecticut Cold Case Unit: 1-866-623-8058
  • Or New Haven Police Department: 1-866-888-8477

• To support Jocelyn's mission:

  • Sign the petition linked in the show notes to increase reward money and incentivize new leads.

• Further exploration:

  • Listen to the Sold On Murder podcast by Jocelyn for more on John’s story.
  • Stream John’s music via the link at darkdowneast.com.

Tone and Approach

Dark Downeast handles the case with empathy and focus on restorative justice, amplifying family voices and persistently advocating for truth—never letting the humanity of a lost loved one become obscured by the cold mechanics of a stalled investigation. The host, Kylie Low, centers the Robinson family throughout, urging listeners to see John not just as a victim, but as a vibrant artist, brother, son, and friend.

For those new to the case or true crime genre, this episode offers a poignant, thorough narrative—grounded in fact, family impact, and the continuing push toward long-overdue answers.