DNA: ID – The Case of Sandra Lyson, Part 1 (March 23, 2026)

Episode Overview

This episode of DNA: ID delves into the 1987 cold case of Sandra Lyson, a bartender in Green Bay, Wisconsin, whose disappearance and subsequent murder remained unsolved for decades. Through investigative detail, the host examines the circumstances of Sandra's vanishing, the extensive police investigation, and the myriad suspects, with a focus on the human side of the story. The episode raises not just the "who," but also the "why" behind the crime, setting the scene for the eventual role of genetic genealogy in the case’s development.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Discovery of Sandra’s Disappearance

• Early Morning at the Bar (02:07–06:50)
  • Sandra Lyson, head bartender at the Good Times Bar in Green Bay, vanishes after her Sunday night shift.
  • Her car, cigarettes (she was a notorious chain smoker), coin purse, and several closing duties are left undone—highly uncharacteristic for Sandra.
  • Around $2,600 is missing from the safe.
  • Her teenage daughter, Kathy, and younger daughter, Tiffany, are immediately concerned, echoing the sentiment:

    “She would never just up and leave.” – Investigator recounting family and friends’ reactions (03:50)

• Police take the disappearance seriously from the start, immediately launching a full-scale investigation.

2. Painting a Picture of Sandra Lyson

• Victimology and Personal Background (06:51–10:40)

  • Born in 1943, devoted single mother of two, described as honest, organized, and a rule-follower.
  • Worked to support her daughters, lived frugally, and avoided relationships after negative experiences.
  • Friends and family emphatically reject the notion that Sandra took the cash or left willingly.

• Close Relationships (10:41–12:59)

  • Best friend Ginny B:

    “She was organized, a planner … very honest. Would never steal that money from the safe.” (07:00)

  • Neighbor Sue D:

    “Sandra must have been taken out of the bar at gunpoint because she would never leave her cigarettes behind or leave without taking her car.” (09:15)

  • Car, cigarettes, and purse all play significant roles in reconstructing the event timeline and habits.

3. Bar Details and Night of Disappearance

• The Good Times Bar (13:00–14:29)

  • Blue-collar crowd, open from 8AM–2AM with long-time regulars.
  • Sandra worked Sunday nights under the table to maintain welfare benefits.
  • Owner Judy:

    “She was a very good personal friend...a very reliable worker...devoted mother whose girls came first.”

• Closing Night Timeline (18:37–19:45, see also 38:09–42:31 for closing details)

  • Multiple regulars and a few unknown patrons present.
  • Duke Jocelyn, a close friend and unofficial employee, observes key moments:
    • Two men buy beer (11:40PM), one later calls and threatens Sandra over the phone.
    • At closing (1:45AM), an unfamiliar couple and an unidentified lone man remain in the bar.
    • Duke leaves, seeing a small, bright red compact car parked behind the bar.

4. The Initial Investigation & Key Suspects

• Unfolding the Investigation (14:30–20:57)

  • Police canvass the neighborhood, collect evidence, and note all out-of-place observations.
  • Dorothy, a neighbor, did not see Sandra leave, even though she watched the bar from 1:50 to 3:00AM.

• Red Car Lead (16:39, 18:37, 35:24, 53:37)

  • Multiple witnesses recall a mysterious red car in the bar lot; later, focus briefly shifts to a station wagon seen near the dump site.

• Bloody Hands Incident (19:46–20:57)

  • Two teens in a red Datsun stop at a gas station with apparent blood on car and clothes.
  • Cleared after it's discovered one was injured breaking windows in a separate act of vandalism.

5. Discovery of Sandra’s Body

• Body Found in Forest (29:06–41:24)

  • On August 4, 1987, Sandra’s body is discovered in Machicani Forest, Oconto County—25 miles from Green Bay.

  • She is found face-up, partially dressed, showing signs of beating, possible sexual assault, and strangulation.

  • Key findings from the autopsy:

    • Bruises, strangulation, presence of semen; redressing suggests possible hope given to victim before her death.

    • “The autopsy report said there was a 75% probability that Sandra had sex within 24 hours prior to her death.” (35:51)

  • Notable quote from Sandra's sister-in-law Marilyn:

    “It was just a real tragic happening is what it was…We now have two children without a mother. It’s extremely senseless.” (39:15)

6. Expanding the Suspect Pool

• Focus on Last Bar Patrons and Residents (42:28–56:58)

  • Police seek identities of three people left at closing: a couple (later identified and cleared) and one solitary man (never identified).
  • Composite sketches released, descriptions circulated, tips flood in with little success.

• Scrutiny of Regulars and Local Suspects (58:31–70:00)

  • Several men, including ex-boyfriends, those banned from the bar, and men with grievances, are investigated and ruled out.
  • Special focus on "Bozo" (Thomas S.), who had a history with Sandra but appears to have an alibi.

• Physical Evidence (56:59–60:00)

  • Fingerprints on the bar’s glassware and cigar boxes, most matched except one partial latent print on a glass and two on cigar boxes.

7. Discovery of Purse and Long-Term Impacts

• Purse Found in 1991 (70:00–71:39)
  • Four years later, Sandra's beige vinyl purse, presumed to have been taken by her abductor, is found miles from where her body was discovered, spurring a renewed wave of tips and a new focus for the investigation.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Sandra’s Character:

  “She was a very upbeat person but also a rule follower, someone who was organized and a planner. She was very honest and would never steal that money from the safe.” – Friend Ginny B. (07:00)

• On The Nature of the Crime:

  “Sandra must have been taken out of the bar at gunpoint because she would never leave her cigarettes behind or leave without taking her car.” – Neighbor Sue D. (09:15)

• Regarding Suspect Threats:

  “I was pretty well under at the time… it’s possible I may have said something about blowing the place apart, but talk is cheap and I’d been drinking all day.” – David Binz, suspect (31:00)

• Police Realism:

  “This case is going to be around a while, I can tell you that. Unless someone stands in the middle of the highway and yells, ‘I killed her.’” – Oconto County Coroner Robert Wardecki (40:00)

• Family Grief and Resilience:

  “We now have two children without a mother. It’s extremely senseless, and I hope they find him… The little one doesn’t quite understand, although I’m sure she knows it all happened. But I think it’s harder on Kathy. She’s going to be 16. She’s really an adult almost, so the understanding is there. It’s going to be hard, but we’ll get by.” – Marilyn McAllister, sister-in-law (39:30)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Content | |-------------|-------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:07–06:50 | Initial discovery of Sandra’s disappearance | | 06:51–12:59 | Sandra’s background, friends, character portraits | | 13:00–14:29 | The atmosphere and business of the Good Times Bar | | 18:37–19:45 | Night of disappearance, key witnesses, closing time | | 19:46–20:57 | The “bloody hands” incident and false lead | | 29:06–41:24 | Discovery of the body, forensic findings, family notified | | 53:37–56:58 | Composite sketches, bar patrons, last customer(s) | | 58:31–70:00 | Scrutiny of suspect pool, “Bozo” and others, FBI profile | | 70:00–71:39 | 1991 discovery of Sandra’s purse, renewed hope |

Episode Structure and Tone

• Language/Tone: Factual, compassionate, highly detailed, sometimes conversational (“…drunk men sometimes need to be treated like children anyway.”)
• Approach: Focuses on methodical police work, humanizes the victim, stresses community and family impact, and keeps a keen eye on both forensic evidence and the broader why of the crime.

Conclusion

End of Part 1:
The investigation into Sandra Lyson’s murder remained unsolved for years, characterized by diligent detective work, strong community involvement, and a haunting lack of closure. The episode closes with the discovery of Sandra’s long-missing purse in 1991, renewing hope for answers and setting up Part 2, which promises a focus on the case’s genetic genealogy breakthrough.

“This is the end of part one of the Case of Sandra Lyson. Part two is available right now.” (71:39)