Dark Downeast: The Murder of Joan Wertkin (Connecticut)

Host: Kylie Low
Release Date: March 19, 2026
Podcast: Dark Down East (Audiochuck)
Episode Theme: The unsolved and harrowing 1989 murder of Joan Wertkin in Westport, Connecticut—exploring the timeline, investigation, family perspectives, possible suspects, and ongoing quest for justice.

Episode Overview

Kylie Low reconstructs the investigation into the shocking and brutal murder of Joan Wertkin: a mother, wife, and seemingly typical resident of affluent Westport, CT. Joan was found burning in a public parking lot on a rainy night in May 1989, an event that shook her community and continues to haunt her surviving family. This episode honors Joan’s memory, explores the nuances and complications within her personal life, and digs into the details of a cold case that remains unsolved despite decades of investigation.

Key Discussion Points & Timeline

1. The Night of Joan Wertkin’s Disappearance and Discovery

• [01:46] On May 24, 1989, at approximately 11:07pm, a fire is reported in a shopping plaza parking lot in Westport, CT. Three restaurant staff discover a burning body, quickly realize it is human, and call 911.
• [03:30] First responders arrive, finding the charred, exposed body of a woman left in the open behind the plaza. There was no attempt to conceal her.
• [04:25] Nearly simultaneously (11:18pm), Joan’s husband Craig Wertkin reports her missing, explaining she left around 9:15pm to grocery shop and never returned. He describes her, states she took cash but left her purse and wallet, and notes where she may have shopped.
• [06:00] Police note Craig’s nervous demeanor and fresh clothing—a detail that police log in their report—and the presence of Joan’s white BMW in the plaza parking lot, windows rolled down despite the rain.

2. Early Investigation and Family Dynamics

• [08:20] Detectives visit the Wertkin home early the next morning. Craig is absent but soon returns and asks, “Did you find the car or her?” Further questioning reveals:

  • Craig is preoccupied with Joan’s car location.
  • He admits to marital struggles and suspicion of Joan’s affair but denies any violence or argument on the evening she disappeared.
  • Craig declines to sign written consent for a search, requests legal review, but allows a verbal walkthrough.
  • Joan’s purse is found by the door she would have used to exit.

• [11:59] Mark Wertkin (Joan’s brother) recalls being told of her death and the family’s shock at the graphic nature of her murder and the brutal autopsy details.

• [13:28] Mark: “It’s really a lot. It was disgusting and I don’t know how anyone could do that to another human being. But it did happen…” (13:28)

3. Joan Wertkin: Life and Relationships

• [13:49] Background on Joan and Craig’s marriage, their idyllic outward-facing life, and the cracks beneath the surface.
• [15:17] Interviews with Joan’s friends and family:
  • A friend describes Joan as troubled and confirms both Joan and Craig were seeing other people.
  • Joan’s affair was with a contractor; Craig was seeing a woman in New York.
  • Joan and Craig both called their therapist on the day of the murder separately, each seeking a same-day session—an event the therapist described as highly unusual and indicative of personal upheaval.

4. Reconstructing the Timeline and Craig’s Narrative

• [17:15] Police interview Craig at length:
  • He shifts explanations for Joan’s nighttime shopping, says she was preparing for a barbecue.
  • No groceries found in the car.
  • Describes a routine, peaceful night; multiple phone calls were made.
  • He oscillates: admits suspicions and jealousy over affairs but says the marriage seemed to be improving.
  • Denies driving past the crime scene (his route is disputed by another officer’s observation).
  • Declines to make a written statement but agrees verbally to cooperate.

5. Testimonies from Joan’s Children

• [25:58] Police interview Wertkin children:
  • Son offers a story seeming “rehearsed,” seeking Craig’s approval during questioning.
  • Daughter is withdrawn and uncommunicative.

6. Physical Evidence and Witness Accounts

• [29:00] Joan’s BMW had a missing textile/fiber part (identity redacted); police attempt to match and analyze this.
• [31:00] Witnesses saw a white BMW at the crime scene earlier in the night, as well as a suspicious man with a duffel bag.
• [33:00] Contractor acknowledges friendship, then eventually admits to a sexual affair with Joan, but passes a polygraph and is eliminated as a suspect.

7. Alternate Suspects and Theories

• [36:54] Other lines of investigation:
  • Violent local incidents by Michael Franzese (attacker/kidnapper) are considered but ultimately dismissed as unrelated after charges do not match Joan's case specifics.
  • Craig’s suggestion of a copycat method inspired by the movie "Criminal Law" is addressed but not pursued by police.

8. Lasting Impact, Frustration, and Ongoing Investigation

• [39:00] The investigation slows, detectives pass away, and Craig eventually moves to Florida and remarries.
• [43:00] The case is reopened in 2008 and again in 2010: advances in DNA produce a suspect, but no arrest follows.
• [45:40] Crucial 2023 development: Police now believe Joan did not drive her own car to the plaza, thoroughly shifting the timeline and focus of the investigation.
• [46:37] Mark Wertkin speaks about missed opportunities for sibling connection and his enduring commitment to justice.
  • “I believe in justice, whether it's for my sister or anybody’s sister or anybody’s friend...” (47:20)
  • “I have 100% faith that justice in this particular case will be meted out, that he will pay in some way for what he did.” (48:23)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On learning Joan’s fate:
  • Mark Wertkin: “In the days and weeks to follow, details started to come out that were really, really, really shocking. Really shocking.” (11:59)
• On the brutality of the crime:
  • Mark Wertkin: “It was disgusting and I don't know how anyone could do that to another human being.” (13:28)
• Reflections on Joan’s life:
  • Kylie Lowe: “Appalling and completely incongruous with the version of Joan that Mark and many others saw from the outside.” (13:49)
• Enduring frustration for justice:
  • Mark Wertkin: “As time goes on, it gets more frustrating. It's so obvious, but yet you just have to be able to take that one step of going from a theory to be able to say, here's the... evidence.” (47:51)
  • "I think people need to reach deep down inside themselves and just be brave and do the right thing. If you know something, say something. The end." (48:46)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Opening recount of the crime/scene discovery: [01:46] – [06:00]
• Family background, marriage dynamics: [13:49] – [15:17]
• Discussion of affairs, therapist interviews: [15:17] – [17:15]
• Craig Wertkin's account and timeline discrepancies: [17:15] – [24:00]
• Children’s statements: [25:58] – [27:30]
• Physical/circumstantial evidence: [29:00] – [32:00]
• Contractor’s polygraph admission: [36:54] – [39:00]
• Other suspects, movie theory, Michael Franzese: [39:00] – [43:00]
• 2023 police update about Joan’s car/timeline: [45:40] – [46:37]
• Mark Wertkin’s reflections and plea for information: [46:37] – [48:46]

Conclusion and Call to Action

The episode closes with a heartfelt plea from Joan’s brother and host Kylie Lowe for anyone with knowledge about Joan Wertkin’s murder to come forward. The new theory that Joan did not drive herself to the crime scene opens up further avenues for investigation, and the case remains officially open, with police seeking new leads.

If you have information about Joan Wertkin’s murder:
Contact Westport Police Department Cold Case Unit at 203-520-3831 or email coldcasetips.gov.

Source material and further reading: darkdowneast.com

Host’s statement:
“I’m not about to let those names or their stories get lost with time.” — Kylie Lowe (48:59)