Going West: True Crime
Episode 566: Carol Rofstad // 566
Original Air Date: December 23, 2025
Hosts: Daphne Woolsoncroft and Heath Merryman
Overview
In this chilling Christmas episode, hosts Daphne and Heath examine the tragic case of Carol Rofstad, a 21-year-old Illinois college student who survived a terrifying attack in her sorority house, only to be murdered 17 months later in a disturbingly similar fashion. Drawing parallels to the classic horror film "Black Christmas," they explore whether a violent predator stalked the campus, unifying a string of attacks against young women, and discuss investigative missteps that left the case unresolved for decades.
Main Theme
A devastating exploration of campus safety, persistent predatory violence, and police mismanagement in 1970s Illinois, centered around the unsolved murder of Carol Rofstad. The hosts connect Carol’s murder to multiple attacks on campus, examine botched investigation details, and spotlight a persistent but publicly unnamed suspect.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Setting the Scene & Carol’s Background
[03:05–08:35]
- Carol Rofstad, born in 1954, was a popular, ambitious, and independent student from Elk Grove Village, IL.
- After a year at Illinois Wesleyan University, she transferred to Illinois State University (ISU) in Normal, IL, persuaded by a friend.
- Life in Normal, Illinois in the 1970s: a “safe and predictable” college town; low violent crime.
- Carol was active in Delta Zeta sorority, popular, intelligent, and served as treasurer.
2. The First Attack: July 1974
[08:35–13:08]
- Carol stayed on campus for summer classes and moved into the Delta Zeta house.
- On July 16, 1974, after a night out, Carol was assaulted in her bed by a man in combat boots and a green work shirt, wearing a nylon mask (“Mr. Green Jeans”).
- She was choked, threatened, and thrown into a dresser (breaking her nose); attacker fled after cutting the house’s phone line.
- Distinctive description allowed the pattern of future attacks to be linked.
“Carol was just peacefully asleep… when suddenly she awoke to a pair of clammy hands around her throat. The mysterious man whispered quietly, ‘If you scream, I’ll kill you.’” — Daphne ([09:56])
3. Subsequent Attacks & Escalating Fear
[13:08–15:45]
- Two more women attacked near Delta Zeta within weeks; similar MO (choking, aggression, targeting ISU students).
- All three attacks described a large man, similar clothing and mask.
- Police and students worried about a campus predator:
“For three attacks to happen within just a few blocks is really fucking weird.” — Heath ([14:52])
4. Carol’s Murder: December 1975
[16:23–26:37]
- Carol stayed behind after finals to work before Christmas; last seen at 9:50pm leaving “The Cellar” pub with a friend.
- She never made it inside her sorority house that night.
- Found badly beaten and hypothermic outside Delta Zeta by a passerby at 10am; she had lain exposed in below-freezing temps for 12 hours ([22:51–25:14]).
- Bludgeoned three times with a bloodied 18-inch railroad tie (found nearby). Not robbed; possibly sexually assaulted (underwear/pantyhose down).
5. Immediate Aftermath & Investigative Missteps
[26:37–32:14]
- Most students had left for winter break; few witnesses.
- Police appealed to the public; two witnesses report seeing Carol and, maybe, the attack ([29:47–31:12]).
- One witness described seeing Carol between two men, one holding what seemed to be a wooden club, matching the weapon description.
- A sketch was produced but proved unhelpful.
- By January 1976, the case went cold; leads exhausted.
6. False Confession & Further Attacks
[32:14–38:21]
- 1977: David Whitmer confessed but quickly recanted; polygraphed and cleared ([34:18]).
- April 1977: Strikingly similar attacks at IWU and ISU sororities. MO: late-night entry, choking, violence, mask. Both victims escaped; attacker never identified.
- Evidence consistently pointed to a man of similar build and clothes as “Mr. Green Jeans.”
“He dragged her to the stairway in the house and attempted to throw her over the railing. But this young woman was able to hang onto the railing and screamed for help.” — Daphne ([36:43])
7. Mishandling of Key Evidence & Missed Leads
[38:21–40:43]
- Police gave the murder weapon (the railroad tie) to an ISU professor as a classroom display, contaminating possible DNA ([38:41]).
- Police failed to follow up on a bar regular matching the attacker’s unique clothing.
“Any DNA on that weapon had been badly contaminated. Wtf?” — Daphne ([39:03])
8. A Possible Suspect: The Student Body President
[40:43–46:23]
- From the investigative podcast “Carol’s Last Christmas,” a sorority sister’s anecdote leads to suspicion of the then-student body president, a Vietnam vet known for a temper and similar dress.
- This suspect was arrested two months after the murder for strangling another ISU female student ([43:45]).
- Retired Chicago detective George Siebel built a 50-page case, confirmed by 25 sources, pointing to this suspect, but police dismissed it due to his passing a polygraph.
“I am 99.9% sure I know who did it.” — Jim, Carol’s brother-in-law ([46:25])
9. Current Status & Potential Hope
[46:47–end]
- A fingerprint found in 2001 remains untested; main suspect believed to be alive out of state.
- A reward remains for information; a memorial is planned at ISU.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On the campus atmosphere:
“It was the type of place where you saw the same face every weekend and learned that Normal really did live up to its name.” — Daphne ([07:00])
- On the lack of resolution:
“He went on an attacking tirade, attacked numerous different people and wasn’t found and was never found to this day, was never caught.” — Heath ([49:35])
- On police mishandling:
“The normal police department even gave away Carol’s murder weapon to a criminal justice professor… any DNA on that weapon had been badly contaminated. WTF?” — Daphne ([39:03])
Important Timestamps
- Background & Setting: [03:05–08:35]
- First Attack Details: [08:35–13:08]
- Murder Night & Discovery: [16:23–26:37]
- Post-Murder Witnesses & Sketch: [26:37–32:14]
- False Confession & Later Attacks: [32:14–38:21]
- Police Missteps (Weapon & Leads): [38:21–40:43]
- Suspect Profile & Cover-Up: [40:43–46:23]
- Case Status, Memorials, Reward: [46:47–end]
Conclusion & Reflections
Daphne and Heath weave together a haunting narrative blending campus nostalgia with deep unease, critiquing law enforcement’s failures and conjuring empathy for Carol and her family, and for all victims let down by poor investigations. They urge listeners to explore the “Carol’s Last Christmas” podcast for more detail and call for any information that could break the case. The episode closes with hope for closure through advances in forensic science—and a reminder that nearly 50 years later, justice remains elusive.
For More Information
- Carol’s Last Christmas podcast for a deep-dive investigation.
- carolslastchristmas.com/contact or Detective Nicole Bruno at nbrunonormal.org, 309-454-9702 for tips.
- Memorial fundraiser and details at Hatch Illinois State. Edu.
Tone: Respectful, somber, with moments of outrage and warmth. The hosts mix investigative rigor with heartfelt empathy.
Special Note: Listeners are encouraged to visit the podcast’s social media for photos, sketches, and updates.