Summary of "Carmen 'CJ' DeLuca (Wild Card, Connecticut)" - The Deck Podcast

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Deck
• Host/Author: audiochuck
• Episode: Carmen “CJ” DeLuca (Wild Card, Connecticut)
• Release Date: June 18, 2025

Introduction

In this poignant episode of The Deck, host audiochuck delves into the cold case of Carmen “CJ” DeLuca, a 23-year-old gas station attendant whose life was tragically cut short in a seemingly senseless shooting in East Windsor, Connecticut, in 1985. Utilizing the unique approach of presenting cold cases through playing cards, The Deck aims to shed light on forgotten crimes by encouraging listeners to contribute information that could lead to justice for the victims.

The Crime

September 12, 1985 - East Windsor, Connecticut

Carmen "CJ" DeLuca, a young and engaged gas station attendant, was working the night shift at Gas N Save when he was fatally shot. On that fateful night, CJ had recently taken over the overnight shift after firing the usual attendant, making his murder stand out amidst a series of violent robberies targeting Connecticut gas stations.

[02:58] Ashley Flowers: "Our card this week is Carmen CJ DeLuca, a Deck wildcard gas station attendant... but 40 years later, police are still waiting for that one person with more information to come forward to finally help them bring his killer to justice."

The Initial Investigation

CJ’s murder scene was puzzling. The initial assumption was a robbery gone wrong, but evidence told a different story. Investigators found a single gunshot wound to CJ's back, but no cash was taken. The cash register remained full, and only two boomboxes were missing. Most notably, a footprint consistent with Adidas sneakers and a dropped hat were the primary clues.

[05:16] Dena Prest: "I tried to call the station and it just rang and rang and rang and you just get that feeling right?"

CJ's fiancée, Dena Prest, received a mysterious phone call from an unfamiliar voice around 3 AM, which heightened her concerns. Her subsequent visit to the gas station revealed the grim reality of CJ's death, leaving her and the community in shock.

A Second Shooting - Linking the Cases

As detectives probed CJ's murder, another similar incident occurred just an hour away in Orange, Connecticut. A man named Craig Sutton survived a shooting during a robbery at an A.M.P.M. gas station, providing a critical eyewitness account.

[11:32] Ashley Flowers: "The man who was shot in the second incident told police that his name was Craig Sutton."

Craig described his assailant as a young black man, approximately 5’8” to 6’ tall, thin, and wearing a black hat and a leather jacket. A hat found at the East Windsor scene later matched his description, leading detectives to believe the two shootings were connected.

Developing Leads and Potential Suspects

Ballistic evidence revealed that both CJ and Craig were shot with .38 caliber bullets from the same firearm, deepening the connection between the two cases. A state Police Major Crimes unit was brought in to investigate, but progress was slow until a confidential informant provided names: William Spikes and Douglas Whitehead.

[18:06] Craig Sutton: "The informant further stated that Spikes had told him that... he had shot that boy."

Both men had recent criminal histories and were known associates, making them prime suspects. However, as time passed, Whitehead died in 1994, and Craig Sutton himself passed away, complicating the investigation.

Stalled Investigation and Evidence Loss

Detective Scott Roberts revisited the case in 2014, hoping new technologies like DNA analysis could provide breakthroughs. Unfortunately, crucial evidence, including the hat left at the scene, had been destroyed due to policy limitations related to the statute of limitations on related robberies.

[25:06] Ashley Flowers: "It turns out that hat had been destroyed."

Roberts faced significant challenges, including the death of key witnesses and suspects, and a lack of preserved evidence, which left the case at a standstill.

Renewed Efforts and Detective Roberts' Pursuit

Undeterred, Detective Roberts continued to seek out any leads, including interviewing Spikes, who admitted to involvement in robberies but denied knowledge of CJ’s murder.

[29:42] Ashley Flowers: "But he didn't admit to knowing anything about CJ's murder."

Despite extensive efforts, no one came forward with new information, and the case remained unsolved for decades.

Dena Prest's Quest for Justice

Throughout the years, Dena Prest remained a steadfast advocate for uncovering the truth behind CJ's murder. She continued to push detectives for answers, even sharing the burden with her family and involving her children in the pursuit.

[34:00] Dena Prest: "I don't know if I've actually let my mind go there. It's just. It feels like too much to hope for."

Her relentless determination underscores the emotional toll and the enduring hope that someone, somewhere, might still hold the key to solving this tragic case.

Current Status and Call to Action

As the 40th anniversary of CJ’s murder approaches, Detective Roberts emphasizes the need for new information to finally bring closure to CJ’s family. Despite the numerous hurdles, the investigation remains open, and law enforcement continues to seek anyone with pertinent information.

[35:45] Ashley Flowers: "Investigators are still looking to talk to anyone who has information about Carmen CJ DeLuca's death."

Listeners are encouraged to reach out to the Connecticut Cold Case Unit if they have any details that could aid in resolving this long-standing mystery.

[35:45] Ashley Flowers: "If you know anything, please contact the Connecticut Cold case unit at 1-866-623805 or you can email them at cold.case@.ct.gov."

Conclusion

The episode of The Deck meticulously unpacks the complexities and challenges surrounding the unsolved murder of Carmen “CJ” DeLuca. Through detailed narration and compelling interviews, the podcast not only recounts the events but also highlights the relentless pursuit of justice by both law enforcement and the victim’s loved ones. As decades pass, the hope remains that new advancements and collective efforts may one day bring the truth to light and provide the closure that CJ’s family desperately seeks.

Notable Quotes:

• Dena Prest [05:16]: "I tried to call the station and it just rang and rang and rang and you just get that feeling right?"
• Craig Sutton [09:29]: "You don't typically get that in sleepy Connecticut in two separate towns that aren't known for having a lot of shootings."
• Detective Roberts [23:27]: "This was the only time when you're a detective that you actually have time to look into these things."
• Craig Sutton [25:06]: "The hat essentially was extremely important. I really thought that that was the key."
• Dena Prest [34:31]: "It's just. It feels like one of those things that you want to take care of before you can."
• Craig Sutton [35:06]: "And if the person who was deceased was responsible for it, at least we could bring closure to it."