DNA: ID – Episode Summary

Episode Title: Marilyn Decker

Host: Jessica Betancourt (AbJack Entertainment)

Air Date: February 23, 2026

Main Theme:

This episode explores the decades-old cold case murder of Marilyn Decker, ultimately solved through investigative genetic genealogy (IGG). The podcast meticulously uncovers Marilyn's tragic fate, the struggles of her life, and how modern forensic science finally identified her killer as Donald Lawless. The episode also delves into the victim/killer dynamics, family impact, and the real-world implications for cold case legislation.

Main Discussion Points & Insights

Discovery of Marilyn Decker’s Body

• [02:55] Marilyn’s body was discovered on October 22, 1987, in a canal off Flamingo Road, Davie, Florida, by a passing motorist.

  • The body was wrapped in a large, pink, transparent plastic bag, with an orange towel inside.
  • She wore only a Camel Lights T-shirt from Fort Lauderdale (1980).
  • The nature of her injuries, including severe post-mortem mutilation and signs of asphyxia, indicated homicide rather than accidental drowning.
  • “The whole thing surrounded by what looked like a diaphanous pink cloud.” — Jessica Betancourt [03:29]

• Scene Analysis

  • Investigators found the site was likely only a disposal site; the murder occurred elsewhere.
  • Forensic analysis turned up Marilyn’s fingerprints, blood samples, and various hairs (some animal, some human).

Marilyn’s Life and Circumstances

• [12:17] Marilyn was born in Stoneham, Massachusetts in 1959, moved to Florida in 1972, and struggled with addiction and instability throughout her adult life.
  • After early promise, she became involved in sex work to support a crack habit.
  • She became estranged from her family in her last years, living transiently and isolated.
  • "[Marilyn] didn’t fit. Most classified her as too nice to be on the streets." — Quote from area locals, [20:28]
  • Family and friends remembered her as empathetic and out of place in the environment where she died.

Early Investigation & Obstructed Leads

• [15:00–27:00]
  • Investigators meticulously tracked down potential leads via the plastic bag and towel with manufacturer's marks, but distribution of such products was too widespread to be traced to a suspect.
  • Multiple suspects—ranging from Marilyn’s acquaintances and fellow sex workers to violent johns and a previous attacker—were considered.
  • Noted obstacles included the transient nature of Marilyn’s associates, unreliable witnesses, and lack of identifiable physical evidence.
  • “[The suspect pool] was very transient. The people Marilyn was associating with distrusted the police and were unreliable and scattered.” — Jessica Betancourt [25:10]

Case Grows Cold, Rumors & Suspects

• [27:35–42:00] A variety of avenues were probed:
  • Acquaintances with violent histories, like “Bob” and Richard P., were investigated, but no direct links were found.
  • Rumors linked Marilyn’s murder to police corruption or retaliation by drug dealers, especially around a dealer named Ernie. However, documentation is unclear on whether Ernie was rigorously investigated.
  • The case lay dormant after unsuccessful reinvestigations in 1994 and 1995.

Case Reopened & Breakthrough via Genetic Genealogy

• [42:37] In 2021, the Davie PD Cold Case Unit, led by Detective Eddie Velazquez, re-examined evidence:

  • Rootless hairs (collected decades prior from Marilyn’s clothing and the orange towel) were sent to Estrella Forensics, which could extract autosomal DNA.
  • Two hair samples yielded DNA profiles.

• [45:32–57:14] CeCe Moore, Parabon genetic genealogist, details the complicated process:

  • Initial matches on GEDmatch and Family Tree DNA were confounded by distant relationships and adoption in top matches’ trees.
  • Through extensive family tree building, the team connected the profile to the Lawless family of Ohio—specifically, to Donald Lawless.
  • “I typically will build out to at least the third great grandparent level... because I’m trying to connect really distant matches.” — CeCe Moore [48:55]
  • Moore credits fellow genealogist Misty Gillis for helping to extend the crucial branch and solve a generations-old paper trail impasse.

• [57:14–61:45]

  • By confirming the relationship with a living great-nephew of Lawless, they established that Donald Lawless was the source of the DNA profile from the crime scene.

Who Was Donald Lawless?

• [62:26] Lawless: A career criminal from Ohio, born in 1925.
  • Raised in a chaotic, violent family; incarcerated for a variety of burglaries, auto theft, and robberies starting in the 1940s.
  • Moved to Florida in the early 1980s; records put him in close geographic proximity to Marilyn's work area and at the scene via traffic and solicitation offenses.
    • “He was the only one in the family who had any connections to Florida.” — CeCe Moore [74:28]

Culmination: Linking Lawless to the Crime

• [76:29–79:16]

  • Lawless’s proximity, lifestyle, and direct evidence (the two hairs) link him to Marilyn’s murder.
  • With Lawless deceased since 1995 and cremated, DNA confirmation rested on analyzing living relatives—ultimately confirming his identity as the murderer.

• [81:30–85:00]

  • Lawless’s pattern of criminality and proximity to other unsolved cases in south Florida suggests he may have killed other women, particularly sex workers.

Impact on Family and Legislation

• [85:00–88:00]
  • Marilyn’s family, especially her sister Gail, expressed grief and anger that Lawless died unpunished.
    • “It just keeps coming back. I wish he had paid for his crime.” — Gail Demore [83:30]
  • Marilyn’s case inspired the Decker Backman Act, intended to bolster cold case investigations in Florida. Although the bill failed, it spotlighted the enduring needs of victims’ families and legislative apathy toward unsolved homicides.
    • “Justice delayed is justice denied, not only to the victims, but to the families who live every day with their absence.” — Ryan Backman [85:30]

Reflections and Legacy

• [89:13]
  • “Somebody does not do this for the first time when they’re 62 years old.” — CeCe Moore [89:13]
  • The case demonstrates the transformative power of genetic genealogy and its potential to solve cold cases once thought unsolvable.
  • Marilyn’s vulnerability due to addiction highlighted as a root cause of her exposure to danger.
  • “If it were not for her addiction, Marilyn, who had a loving and supportive family, would not have had anything to do with Lawless.” — Jessica Betancourt [90:00]
  • Hope remains that Lawless will be definitively linked to other unsolved murders as science and investigation advance.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The whole thing surrounded by what looked like a diaphanous pink cloud.” — Jessica Betancourt [03:29]
• “Marilyn didn’t fit. Most classified her as too nice to be on the streets.” — area locals via investigators [20:28]
• “Somebody does not do this for the first time when they’re 62 years old.” — CeCe Moore [89:13]
• “Justice delayed is justice denied, not only to the victims, but to the families who live every day with their absence.” — Ryan Backman [85:30]
• “It just keeps coming back. I wish he had paid for his crime.” — Gail Demore, sister [83:30]
• “If it were not for her addiction, Marilyn… would not have had anything to do with Lawless.” — Jessica Betancourt [90:00]
• “The [DNA] technology… opens up tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of cases… Yet two rootless hairs still clung to fabric found with her or on her and were able, decades later, to generate genetic profiles of the man they belonged to. It’s absolutely staggering...” — Jessica Betancourt [44:57]

Important Timestamps

• [02:55] – Crime scene, body discovery, and investigative process
• [12:17] – Marilyn’s life story and family background
• [18:40] – Investigation into Marilyn’s community and lifestyle
• [27:35 – 42:00] – Suspect interviews, rumors, and dead ends
• [42:37] – Case reopened: introduction of IGG and forensic breakthrough
• [45:32 – 57:14] – CeCe Moore’s detailed genetic genealogy process
• [57:14] – The Lawless family revealed, confirming Donald Lawless
• [74:28 – 79:16] – Lawless’s connection to the crime scene, Florida
• [81:30] – Potential links to other unsolved murders
• [85:00] – Family impact and the Decker Backman Act
• [89:13 – end] – Reflections on criminal patterns, legacy, and hope for future cases

Conclusion & Takeaways

• The decades-cold case of Marilyn Decker is solved with the intersection of perseverance, new technology, and genealogical expertise.
• Marilyn’s personal struggles and marginalization made her vulnerable—but the ultimate responsibility lay with her murderer’s lifelong pattern of violence.
• The case highlights the transformative impact of investigative genetic genealogy, unrelenting family pain, and the pressing need for dedicated cold case resources.

If you’re passionate about true crime, forensic innovation, or criminal justice reform, this episode is both a riveting narrative and a call for renewed advocacy and compassion for victims and their families.