Gone South: S4|E12 - "Time of Death"

Released January 2, 2025

Introduction

In the twelfth episode of the fourth season of Gone South, host Jed Lipinski delves into one of Mobile, Alabama's most infamous cold cases: the 1980 murder of Katherine Foster. Through meticulous storytelling and insightful interviews with key figures involved in the investigation, Lipinski uncovers the intricate details and eventual resolution of this Southern crime that captivated both the local community and law enforcement for decades.

The Katherine Foster Case

Katherine Foster, a 19-year-old freshman at the University of South Alabama, disappeared on a Thursday morning in 1980. Her lifeless body was discovered two days later in a wooded area near her dormitory. The autopsy revealed she had died from two bullet wounds to the head, one at close range. Strangely, there were no signs of robbery, sexual assault, or restraint, leaving detectives baffled by the lack of a clear motive.

Initial Investigation and Suspects

Jim Barber, a seasoned officer with the Mobile Police Department and a criminal investigations instructor at the University of South Alabama, took a keen interest in the Foster case. In the spring semester of 2002, Barber decided to involve his criminal justice students in profiling the unsolved murder, utilizing behavior, motive, and evidence to identify potential suspects.

The FBI's Behavioral Science Unit had previously profiled the killer as a white blue-collar male between 25 and 35 years old. This led investigators to two primary suspects:

1. A Security Guard: Exhibited an unusual obsession with the case. Three years post-murder, he committed suicide, leaving behind a home filled with Katherine's autopsy reports and detailed notes, suggesting a possible connection.

   David Wilhelm, Detective (03:05): "She had not been robbed or sexually assaulted... no signs of ligature marks to indicate she'd been tied up."

2. A Maintenance Worker: Had a history of attempting to abduct a female medical student during Hurricane Frederic in 1979, resulting in her death by an M16 rifle.

However, Barber remained unconvinced about both suspects due to the lack of a clear motive and inconsistencies in their profiles.

Jim Barber's New Theory

Working alongside his students, Barber narrowed down the possible motives to two: jealousy and the removal of an impediment. This led him to consider the unsettling possibility that the killer might be female—specifically, someone close to Katherine.

Jim Barber (05:13): "Jealousy and getting rid of an impediment... were lesser known but not uncommon motives for murder."

Convincing himself that Jamie Letson, a friend of Katherine's, fit this new profile, Barber revisited the case files. Despite Jamie having a solid alibi initially—being in Baldwin County during the estimated time of death—Barber theorized that Katherine's death occurred shortly before she was reported missing, making Jamie's alibi less relevant.

Jamie Letson's Alleged Confession

In December 2002, a breakthrough arrived when the Pascagoula Police Department received a confession from Jamie Letson. Mike Morgan, a sergeant in the Mobile PD's Homicide Unit, was tasked with verifying the confession. However, complications arose upon discovering that the AA sponsor who reported the confession had a tainted history, including manslaughter and perjury convictions, undermining the credibility of the confession.

Undeterred, Morgan expanded the investigation, interviewing Jamie's friends and family. Several pointed out Jamie's unhealthy fixation on Katherine's boyfriend, Tom, and her erratic behavior following Katherine's disappearance. Despite these suspicions, Jamie maintained her innocence, supported by her alibi and lack of physical evidence linking her to the crime scene.

Reopening the Case

The case remained stagnant until 2007, when Jim Barber, now Deputy Chief of Police, leveraged his new position to push for reopening the investigation. Collaborating with special prosecutors from the state attorney general's office, Barber and Morgan sought to challenge the original time of death determination made by the medical examiner.

Challenging the Time of Death

Upon reviewing the autopsy reports, Barber identified discrepancies in the estimated time of death. The medical examiner had originally concluded that Katherine died approximately 12 hours before her body was found. However, Barber noted that the body temperature and the state of rigor mortis suggested a much longer period of decomposition—potentially up to 44 hours.

To validate this theory, Mike Morgan visited the Body Farm at the University of Tennessee, an outdoor laboratory dedicated to studying human decomposition under various environmental conditions. The forensic anthropologist there confirmed that minimal insect activity, as observed in Katherine's case, was consistent with a time of death extending up to 48 hours under similar weather conditions.

Mike Morgan (35:21): "When we reached the first body, that's not what they saw... it could have been out there for 48 hours."

Indictment and Conviction

Armed with this new evidence, the medical examiner re-evaluated the time of death, conceding that Katherine could indeed have been dead for up to two days. This revelation invalidated Jamie Letson's alibi, as it aligned her timeline with the estimated time of death.

In November 2008, a grand jury indicted Jamie Letson for Katherine Foster's murder. During her trial, despite her claims of fabrication regarding her confession, the jury deliberated for merely six hours before finding her guilty. Jamie was subsequently sentenced to life in prison.

David Wilhelm, Detective (39:56): "That does her confession match up to the evidence? And it matched up 100% what the evidence showed."

Aftermath and Reflections

The resolution of the Katherine Foster case marked a significant milestone for the Mobile Police Department and the community, providing long-awaited closure. Jim Barber, now the City of Mobile's Chief of Staff, reflects on the case as a standout achievement in his nearly three-decade-long law enforcement career.

Jim Barber (40:53): "Solving Katherine Foster's murder stands out."

Detective David Wilhelm echoed these sentiments, highlighting the profound impact of bringing the perpetrator to justice after such a protracted investigation.

David Wilhelm (40:53): "Bringing this particular case to justice was probably the highlight of my career."

Conclusion

"Gone South: Time of Death" intricately weaves the narrative of Katherine Foster's unsolved murder and its eventual resolution, showcasing the perseverance and analytical prowess of law enforcement officers. Through detailed examination of investigative techniques and the re-evaluation of forensic evidence, the episode underscores the complexities of solving cold cases and the enduring pursuit of justice in the Southern United States.

Notable Quotes

• Jim Barber (05:13): "Jealousy and getting rid of an impediment... were lesser known but not uncommon motives for murder."
• Mike Morgan (35:21): "When we reached the first body, that's not what they saw... it could have been out there for 48 hours."
• David Wilhelm (39:56): "That does her confession match up to the evidence? And it matched up 100% what the evidence showed."
• Jim Barber (40:53): "Solving Katherine Foster's murder stands out."
• David Wilhelm (40:53): "Bringing this particular case to justice was probably the highlight of my career."

Additional Information

Gone South continues to explore crimes deeply rooted in Southern culture, offering listeners not only thrilling narratives but also profound insights into human nature and societal impacts of criminal activities. For more information or to share feedback, listeners are encouraged to reach out via email at gonesouthpodcastmail.com or follow the podcast on social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram.