Murder: True Crime Stories – Episode Summary: UNSOLVED: Irene Izak 2
Podcast Information:
- Title: Murder: True Crime Stories
- Host: Carter Roy
- Episode: UNSOLVED: Irene Izak 2
- Release Date: October 1, 2024
- Description: Delves into the intricate details of Irene Isaac's unsolved murder, highlighting the flawed investigation, the suspicious actions of Trooper David Hennigan, and the relentless pursuit of justice by Irene's family even decades later.
1. Introduction
Carter Roy sets the stage by contrasting the straightforward perception of murder investigations with the complex reality Irene Isaac's case presented. He emphasizes the enduring impact on Irene's family and the unresolved questions that persist over 50 years later.
Carter Roy [00:06]: "People's lives are like a story. There's a beginning, a middle, and an end. But you don't always know which part you're on."
This episode is the second installment focusing on Irene Isaac's brutal murder in 1968, aiming to uncover overlooked details and potential cover-ups within the investigation.
2. The Night of the Murder
On June 10, 1968, Irene Isaac, a 25-year-old schoolteacher, was found dead at a rest stop on Wellesley Island along the Canadian border. The discovery was made by Trooper David Hennigan, who exhibited suspicious behavior by having blood on his uniform and his unmarked police car.
Carter Roy [04:50]: "Trooper Hennigan clammed up and was never formally interviewed by police again in connection with Irene Isaac's murder."
The initial response by state troopers led to immediate contamination of the crime scene due to procedural lapses, raising early suspicions about Hennigan's involvement.
3. Initial Investigation and Trooper Hennigan
Trooper Hennigan became the primary suspect when inconsistencies began to surface. Investigator Raymond Paulette questioned the plausibility of Hennigan finding Irene’s body as quickly as he did, given the overgrown ravine's terrain.
Carter Roy [04:50]: "Irene's body was quite difficult to see. It was hard for Paulette to imagine Hennigan spotting her from the top of the overgrown ravine with just his flashlight."
Hennigan's nervous demeanor during initial interviews and the disappearance of blood from his car's bumper further deepened suspicions, although rational explanations were presented by the police.
4. Problems with the Evidence
Multiple officers noted the presence of Irene's blood on Hennigan's uniform, but this evidence was lost when the blood spot vanished from his car. Additionally, Hennigan provided conflicting accounts of how the blood ended up on him, undermining the credibility of his statements.
5. DA McCluskey's Involvement
District Attorney William J. McCluskey took an unusually active role in the investigation, even traveling to Colorado to pursue leads that ultimately proved fruitless. This level of personal involvement from a DA was atypical and raised further questions about the investigation's integrity.
Carter Roy [13:11]: "District Attorney McCluskey pointed out that all the evidence was circumstantial."
New details emerged from case files obtained by author Tom Riley, revealing previously unreported actions by McCluskey that suggested possible overreach or mismanagement in the investigation.
6. Leads and Public Tips
Despite extensive publicity, public tips yielded little of substance. A teenage witness provided a potentially significant sighting of a Volkswagen Beetle with suspicious activity near the crime scene, but inconsistencies in the timeline and descriptions limited its value.
**Carter Roy [...]
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7. Family's Fight for Justice
Irene’s family, particularly her father Boden Isaac and later her niece Lisa Caputo, remained determined to uncover the truth. Boden Isaac publicly suspected a police cover-up, while Lisa Caputo took proactive steps in the late 1990s to reopen the case, advocating for modern forensic techniques.
Carter Roy [13:11]: "Bowden reiterated, 'Guilty or innocent, he was one of the last people to see Irene alive.'"
8. Reopening the Case and New Evidence
In 1998, efforts led to the exhumation of Irene’s remains and advanced forensic analysis, including blood spatter examination. These efforts revealed that the murder weapon was likely a man-made object, such as a heavy metal flashlight, which Trooper Hennigan possessed. Despite this, conclusive evidence remained elusive.
Carter Roy [12:47]: "Striations on Irene's skull indicated the murder weapon had a ridge on it. That meant it was most likely a man-made object."
Investigators attempted to re-question a retired Hennigan but faced refusal, compounded by his subsequent death in 2009, which left many questions unanswered.
9. Current Status and Call to Action
The case remains officially unsolved, with Irene's family continuing to seek closure. Lisa Caputo, aided by author Tom Riley, perseveres in publicizing the case in hopes of eliciting new information or evidence.
Carter Roy [29:08]: "It's on all of us to make sure Irene Isaac gets the justice she so desperately deserves."
Listeners are encouraged to share the story and provide any information that might aid in resolving the decades-old mystery.
Conclusion
This episode intricately unpacks the myriad issues that plagued the investigation into Irene Isaac's murder, highlighting procedural failures, suspicious behaviors, and the enduring quest for justice by her family. Through detailed narration and compelling quotes, Carter Roy paints a vivid picture of a case that remains shrouded in mystery, urging the true crime community to keep Irene's story alive in hopes of one day uncovering the truth.
If you have any information related to Irene Isaac's case, please reach out to the Watertown Police Department at 617-972-6500 or fill out the tip line form linked in the show notes.
Special Thanks: Acknowledgment to Tom Riley for providing access to crucial case files, enhancing the depth and accuracy of this episode's investigation.
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