DNA: ID Replay Kim Bryant & Diana Hanson
Podcast: DNA: ID
Host: Jessica Bettencourt (AbJack Entertainment)
Episode Date: January 19, 2026
Episode Theme:
How two decades-old Las Vegas cold case murders—Kim Bryant (1979) and Diana Hanson (1983)—were finally solved through investigative genetic genealogy, what the victims and the killer had in common (if anything), case details, false leads, and reflections on the power and promise of DNA in modern criminal investigations.
Episode Overview
This episode takes a deep dive into two cold case murders from Las Vegas, exploring the fates of Kim Bryant and Diana Hanson. It examines not only how DNA evidence and forensic genealogy ultimately identified their killer, Johnny Blake Peterson, but also investigates the context of their cases, the investigative missteps, suspect trails (including a notorious serial killer), and the nature of the crime-solving breakthroughs decades later. The episode is rich in narrative detail, offers direct quotes, and gives poignantly voiced moments from both the victims' families and investigators.
1. The Disappearance and Murder of Kim Bryant
[03:11–15:58]
Kim’s Background & Disappearance
- Date: January 26, 1979, Las Vegas
- Victim: Kim Bryant, 16, sophomore at Western High School
- Kim leaves school early, telling friends her boyfriend, Mike, will pick her up at Dairy Queen across from school (10:10 AM).
- Mike arrives, but Kim is gone. He waits, checks for her at home, but she never appears.
- Kim’s parents report her missing after an anxious day.
Quote:
"You could set your watch with her." – Kim’s stepfather, Ed, describing Kim’s reliability. [~04:30]
Initial Police Response & Missed Leads
- Initial police skepticism due to a diary entry about running away after a family spat; investigation delayed.
- Days pass with little meaningful investigation.
- Discovery of Kim’s gym bag in the road (later found to be a misplaced rather than discarded item).
The Discovery of Kim’s Body
- Body Found: February 20, 1979, by three boys in a remote desert area.
- She had been sexually assaulted, beaten to death, and left partially clothed; initial evidence of a struggle.
Quote:
“We think the suspect brought the bag back about an hour and a half later. Because it was found at noon in the travel lane, it doesn't seem feasible it would have stayed there any length of time." – Detective Bob Hilliard [~08:20]
2. Investigative Theories, Suspects, and Dead Ends
[15:58–49:23]
The Crime Scene
- Police canvas Western High, Dairy Queen, surrounding area.
- Notable leads: interactions with suspicious two men in a car days before Kim went missing; rumors of a black jeep (later ruled out).
The Morin Years: A Serial Killer Suspect
- Prime Suspect: Stephen Peter Morin, violent serial killer known for many crimes in western states.
- Strong circumstantial evidence and witness IDs connected Morin to Kim:
- Kim’s earlier date with a man matching his description and vehicle.
- Friend’s confirmation of “Joe,” matching Morin.
- Missing items (lighter, macrame belt) potentially found in Morin’s possession.
- Multiple women’s murders in the region, including Cheryl Daniels and Susan Belote, were attributed to Morin.
- Morin is convicted and executed (1985), but never confesses to Kim’s case.
- Later, DNA shows no link between Morin and Kim Bryant’s murder.
Quote:
"If they had [charged Morin], they might never have made the decision to perform forensic genealogy in her case. When they did, it showed that Morin was not involved at all." – Narrator [~48:30]
Frustration & Family Impact
- Kim’s mother writes poignant letter for her 17th birthday, expressing grief and inability to celebrate.
- Investigators admit in real time the need for a "snitch" or new break.
Quote:
"There will be no party without her smiling face. What can I do? I will place her favorite roses on a cold gray marble stone." – Sherry (Kim's mom), letter to Review Journal [~28:45]
3. The Forensic Genealogy Breakthrough
[49:46–61:10]
Dormant Case to Scientific Rescue
- Decades pass; a deathbed confession upturns the story about the gym bag.
- 2019: Cold case detective Terry Miller investigates.
- 2021: DNA profile extracted from physical evidence (pubic hair taken at autopsy).
- With help from Othram Labs and philanthropist Justin Wu, DNA identifies a match.
The Killer: Johnny Blake Peterson
- Born 1960, Las Vegas; extensive step/half-siblings from many family marriages.
- Criminal record: burglary, sexual assault arrests in era, but never on police radar for murder.
- Died of heroin overdose in 1993, never facing justice for these crimes.
Quote:
“The DNA recovered from Kim Bryant's pubic hair during her initial autopsy matched the DNA of Johnny Blake Peterson." – Narrator, summarizing breakthrough [~56:30]
- Family, wife, and daughter of Peterson had no suspicions but recall odd and disturbing clues.
4. The Case of Diana Hanson
[61:10–End (~82:00)]
Diana’s Background & Abduction
- Date: December 30, 1983
- Victim: Diana Ray Hanson, 22, home from college in Texas and went jogging with her new GE "Walkman" style headphones.
- Never returned home; discovered next morning, nude and stabbed multiple times, having been sexually assaulted.
- Tire tracks, footprints, and other evidence found at crime scene.
Investigation: Dead Ends & Pattern Recognition
- Major efforts: extensive canvassing, roadblocks, matching tire treads, seeking joggers or cars seen in area.
- Various men with connections to Diana investigated, all ruled out.
Modern Break: Also Linked to Peterson
- Upon reviewing Peterson’s possession of unknown women’s headphones (recalled by his widow), detective Miller has Hanson’s evidence tested.
- DNA recovered from Diana’s pubic hair matches Peterson, conclusively closing the case.
Quote:
“Diana's missing headphones were almost certainly the ones C. Peterson's wife found in Johnny's possession in winter of 1983, right after he killed Diana. Johnny Blake Peterson had killed both Kim and Diana. Neither girl's family had ever heard of him. His targeting of Kim and Diana is believed to have been completely random.” – Narrator [~80:00]
5. Aftermath and Continuing Impact
[~80:00–Episode End]
Family and Investigator Reflections
-
Ed Elliott (Kim's father):
"Kim was a beautiful girl with a bright future and it makes me happy that something is being done to solve cases such as hers." [Read at LVMPD press conference, 2021]
-
Dr. Kristen Mittleman (Othram):
“Our average cost per case is about $5,000. All they need is funding.” [End segment]
-
Diana’s mother (as reported by brother Kevin):
"She was angry at God for a while and then she prayed for the Killer's soul." [~65:30]
Law Enforcement: Potential Further Victims
- LVMPD continues to investigate at least five more cold cases from the same era for possible Peterson connections.
Quote:
“We are taking a very deep dive to see if he potentially could be the suspect. We are either going to eliminate him or determine if he is a suspect.” – Lieutenant Ray Spencer, LVMPD [~81:00]
6. Memorable Moments & Key Insights
- Photo Lineup “Mislead”: Despite a witness identifying serial killer Morin as Kim's previous date, DNA later proved he was not the perpetrator in her case.
- Randomness of Offenders: No connection ever found between Peterson and either victim; both targeted due to proximity and routine.
- Genealogy Power: Cases with no viable leads for decades can now be solved even without named suspects through DNA profiles and genealogy—if there is funding for testing.
- Cold Case Funding Advocacy: Spotlight on the need for public/private support for forensic genealogy—average cost per case is about $5,000.
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 03:11 – Start of Kim Bryant timeline
- 15:58 – Kim’s autopsy and emotional family impact
- 29:50 – Eyewitnesses & composite sketches (Bryant)
- 38:00 – Suspected serial killer (Morin) details
- 48:30 – DNA exonerates Morin, importance of forensic genealogy
- 49:46 – Forensic genealogy and Othram Lab intervention
- 56:30 – Peterson identified as Bryant’s killer
- 61:10 – Diana Hanson story begins
- 70:00 – Crime scene specifics & initial investigation (Hanson)
- 80:00 – DNA proves Peterson killed Hanson; families and police respond
- 81:00+ – Continuing investigations into Peterson for other possible crimes
7. Episode Tone and Style
The episode is somber, meticulous, and determined in tone, with a blend of crime reporting and personal reflection. Bettencourt draws on court records, family statements, and her own commentary, highlighting both the procedural frustrations and the emotional costs for families.
8. Conclusion
After decades, the murders of Kim Bryant and Diana Hanson were closed thanks to advancements in forensic genealogy, the diligence of cold case investigators, and community funding partnerships. Both stories are reminders both of lost potential and the enduring hope for justice, even after years or generations. The episode ends with recognition that many more unsolved cases could yet be resolved if resources are devoted to forensic genealogy and DNA testing.
Further information on supporting cold case testing can be found at DNASolves.com.
Notable Quotes Recap:
- "You could set your watch with her." – Kim’s stepfather, Ed
- "From the evidence found at the crime scene, we cannot definitely establish she was killed the day she was kidnapped. We don't know. The only one who would be able to tell us that is the murderer." – Det. Bob Hilliard
- "Kim was a beautiful girl with a bright future and it makes me happy that something is being done to solve cases such as hers." – Ed Elliott, father
- “Our average cost per case is about $5,000. All they need is funding.” – Dr. Kristen Mittleman, Othram
- "We are taking a deep dive to see if he potentially could be the suspect." – Lt. Ray Spencer, LVMPD
For listeners new to the story, this episode demonstrates the “how” of modern cold-case breakthroughs and the enduring human stories behind the headlines.