DNA: ID — The Murder of Velma Nesset, Part 2 of 2

Podcast: DNA: ID
Host: Jessica Bettencourt (AbJack Entertainment)
Release Date: May 26, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode continues the deep dive into the 1982 cold case murder of Velma Nesset in Odessa, Texas, recently solved through investigative genetic genealogy (IGG). It painstakingly reconstructs how DNA evidence, modern forensics, and diligent law enforcement finally identified and captured Billy Wayne Ludwigson as Nesset’s murderer after four decades. The episode explores not only the “who,” but also investigates the possible “why” and the tragic banality of the killer’s life.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Case Reopened and DNA Analysis

• [01:28] After 38 years, Texas Rangers renew focus on the Nesset case, seeking cases eligible for IGG.
• Semen left at the scene was not a CODIS match for decades.
• DNA analysis through BODE Technologies: The suspect is identified as being of largely North Atlantic and Baltic descent.
• The key breakthrough was identifying a relative sharing 392 centimorgans in GEDmatch — prompting genealogical research.

2. Identifying a Suspect: Billy Wayne Ludwigson

• [03:55] Ludwigson matched the genealogical and circumstantial profile: white, brown-haired, tall, multiple prior arrests in Odessa (March 1982), near where Velma was murdered.
• Witness descriptions mostly matched, minus a notable height difference, which investigators decided was not significant.

3. Surveillance and DNA Collection

• [07:40–09:59] In 2020, Ranger Strain and Detective Cade track Ludwigson to suburban Denver. They surveil him and cleverly collect his DNA from a discarded, saliva-soaked hand-rolled cigarette at a bus stop.
  • Quote (Jessica Bettencourt, paraphrasing): “Can I just point out how thankful I am that so many of our suspects are smokers?” [09:22]
• Lab confirms: DNA from cigarette matches the semen left on Velma Nesset.

4. Confrontation and Arrest

• [11:41] Police confront Ludwigson in Denver, gently extract his life history, and eventually request a voluntary interview.
• [13:44] Ludwigson repeatedly denies knowing Velma, being in Odessa at the time, or any involvement — until pressed about his DNA. Investigators show him evidence of his DNA on the victim.

5. Confession—Then Deflection

• [23:30–26:30]
  • Under pressure, Ludwigson cracks, but claims an acquaintance (“B. Moore”) committed the murder and forced Ludwigson to participate.
  • Quote (Ludwigson): “Well, hate to give him up... I do remember that night. There was a guy by the name of B. Moore. He took her, dragged her underneath the culvert. And I was freaked out... and I followed. And he raped her and he stabbed her twice.” [26:25]
  • Sheds tears, claims lifelong guilt, but still denies being the killer.

6. Interrogating B. Moore

• [39:00–44:00] Investigators track Moore to Pennsylvania, interview him and his sister.
  • Moore repeatedly denies knowing Ludwigson or involvement.
  • Quote (Moore): “This is really sad. I didn’t do this. ... I would never do anything like that, especially to an old lady. I don’t have that kind of heart.” [41:15]
• Moore’s DNA is obtained and tested—it’s not a match for crime scene evidence. Polygraph is promised, then refused.

7. Case Against Ludwigson—Pattern of Violence

• [50:50] The show details Ludwigson’s long criminal history, including:
  • Multiple assaults (including on family)
  • Attempted sexual assault (1983)
  • Kidnapping a sex worker (2000)
  • Numerous incidents of domestic violence and threats using weapons
• Family and acquaintances consistently describe him as violent, manipulative, and mean.
  • Quote (Sister Thelma): “He beat the shit out of our grandmother... He was a habitual liar and could convince people of anything.” [54:00]
  • Quote (Stepbrother Boone): “He’s a fucking piece of shit... He absolutely belonged in jail.” [approx. 1:00:00]
• Each described a man capable of extreme violence, confirming suspicions about his capacity for murder.

8. Resolution, Trial, and Aftermath

• Long pre-trial process, complicated by Ludwigson’s mental health claims and COVID.
  • Defense motions for competency evaluation: Ludwigson is ultimately declared competent.
• [01:08:51] On August 9, 2024, Ludwigson pleads guilty to first-degree murder and receives a 20-year sentence (with credit for four years served).
  • Quote (First Assistant DA Greg Barber): “With the approval of the victim’s family, the state and defense agreed to a 20-year plea agreement that was approved by the court.” [01:13:10]
• Case closed after 42 years, thanks to dogged investigation and IGG.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On the DNA match:
  “The probability of obtaining this profile if the DNA came from Suspect Ludwigson and one related unknown individual is 2.67 septillion times greater than the probability of obtaining this profile if the DNA comes from two unknown individuals. ... In essence, the report says it was him.” —Jessica Bettencourt [15:45]

• Ludwigson’s shifting narrative:
  “If I’m going to be convicted of this murder, then I want to be put to death. I want the chair.” —Billy Wayne Ludwigson [27:20] “I knew I wasn’t in the total right... Even though I felt like my life was being threatened if I didn’t.” —Ludwigson, describing why he didn’t call police [29:25]

• On the banality of the killer:
  “As is so often the case in these stories, the specter of the elusive killer is so much grander than he turns out to be in reality, a banal loser who victimized a 64-year-old woman to boost his ego and get his rocks off. ... Enjoy prison, Billy Wayne Ludwigson.” —Jessica Bettencourt [01:17:10]

• Closure for Velma’s family:
  “Joyce was elated and thanked us for our perseverance and hard work.” —Detective Cade’s report (daughter of Velma informed of arrest) [45:00]

Important Timestamps

• 01:28: Texas Rangers reopen case for IGG analysis.
• 07:40–09:59: DNA sample stealth retrieval via cigarette butt.
• 11:41–16:00: Confrontation, interrogation, and Ludwigson’s initial denials.
• 23:30–26:30: Ludwigson’s first confession, blaming “B. Moore.”
• 39:00–44:00: The Moore interview(s), refusal, and elimination via DNA.
• 50:50–1:05:00: Ludwigson’s criminal history and family testimony.
• 1:08:51: Plea deal and sentencing.

Thematic Conclusions

• Justice through IGG: Truly, the case is a testament to the new power of forensic genealogy—solving a brutal, random crime after so many years.
• Failures of Memory and Manipulation: Ludwigson’s ever-changing stories, blame-shifting, and history of violence demonstrate how disordered—and often compulsively deceitful—such offenders can be.
• Real Impact: In the end, technology and persistent detective work delivered long-overdue answers for Velma Nesset’s family and affirmed the importance of never giving up on even the coldest cases.

Final Thought (Jessica Bettencourt) [01:18:00]:
“If you are one of the bad guys, they are coming for you.”