The Deck – Jaklyn Baccoli (5 of Clubs, New York)
Original Air Date: September 24, 2025
Host: Ashley Flowers (audiochuck)
Episode Overview
This episode of "The Deck" examines the murder of Jacqueline “Jackie” Baccoli, whose body was discovered in an abandoned Rochester, NY house in 2010. The decades-old cold case—marked by the brutality of the crime, complications rooted in Jackie’s struggles with substance use and sex work, and a lingering suspect whose DNA was found at the scene—remains unresolved. Ashley Flowers, with the insight of retired investigator Kathy Farina and Jackie’s brother John, reconstructs the investigation’s challenges and appeals for new leads.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Discovery of Jackie Baccoli’s Body
[02:55–06:20]
- On September 22, 2010, demolition workers at 73 Walnut Street, a derelict property in Rochester, discovered what they first thought was a mannequin but quickly realized was a human body.
- Retired investigator Kathy Farina recalls:
“They actually thought it might have been a mannequin. One of the construction folks actually took a board that they found outside and threw it at the body to see if it moved.”
— Kathy Farina [05:00] - Jackie had suffered extensive violence; her body was doused in what appeared to be motor oil, pants pulled down, clothing disarrayed, gagged, and with abrasions suggesting she’d been restrained.
- Signs indicated she’d been dead for days, with only her keys, a quarter, and chapstick as clues to her identity.
2. Jackie’s Life and Background
[09:43–13:27]
- Jackie's brother, John Baccoli, describes a happy childhood and the gradual unraveling of Jackie’s life due to mental health struggles (bipolar disorder), addiction, and relationship breakdowns.
- The family dynamic, affected by their parents’ divorce and mother’s advancing ALS, stripped Jackie of support systems by 2010.
“Things were starting to get bad, and by this point, she's, you know, 40 years old or late 30s. It was just going in the wrong direction.”
— John Baccoli [11:05] - John’s love and frustration are palpable as he recounts becoming increasingly distant for self-preservation, while their mother worried constantly about Jackie.
3. Early Theories and Investigative Hurdles
[07:46–17:47]
- Jackie was last seen by her roommate Kenneth around September 14–15, and speculation quickly centered on a recent conflict: she allegedly stole a drug dealer’s stash by taking advantage of a “bucket system” at a local drug house.
- “Neal,” a friend, feared Jackie was killed in retaliation and reported seeing her with an unknown black man near Lyle Avenue—a known drug area.
- Detective Farina describes the challenge of sorting fact from street gossip:
“We got a lot of information that sent us in a lot of different directions. It's like trying to drink from a fire hose.”
— Kathy Farina [17:47]
4. Crime Scene & Forensic Complications
[15:44–21:08]
- The demolition crew inadvertently contaminated the scene, already cluttered with debris from prior squatting and disrepair.
- Evidence collected: a condom box, a used condom, matchbook, cigarette butts, a hair extension, and several bottles of used motor oil.
- The only apparent entry point was a broken window suggesting mutual entry, but theories varied whether the attack happened on-site.
- Neighborhood canvassing yielded little, as transients were reluctant to get involved and witness accounts contradicted each other.
5. DNA Breakthrough—And Its Limits
[21:08–22:39]
- DNA from sexual assault swabs and a condom was sent for testing, but as Jackie was a known sex worker, semen evidence alone was inconclusive.
- After a year, the DNA was matched to “Dan,” a local convicted felon, but not previously linked to Jackie.
“The first time that we heard Dan's name was when we got that CODIS hit.”
— Kathy Farina [22:34] - Witnesses did not positively identify Dan from photo lineups, and forensic progress was hampered by the scene’s condition.
6. Missed Opportunities and Setbacks
[23:39–30:07]
- An accidental leak to the press about the DNA hit ruined investigators’ plan to surprise Dan with evidence.
- Testing did find Dan’s DNA under Jackie’s fingernails, but Farina explains:
“...it could also be me grabbing your arm and squeezing it and getting a little something under my fingernails. So that's not a huge deal breaker either.”
— Kathy Farina [27:25] - In a 2015 prison interview, Dan gave vague, noncommittal answers about knowing Jackie or having sex with her, blaming drug use for his hazy memory.
- Dan admitted reading the news article about his DNA hit, diluting any potential “gotcha” value.
7. Unresolved Questions and Appeals for Justice
[30:28–32:28]
- Farina still believes Dan played a role:
“My money, if I was a betting person, would still be on Dan, but I believe that maybe someone asked him to do it or paid him to do it. It's just a shame, because I do feel like some of these witnesses haven't given us the whole truth.”
— Kathy Farina [30:28] - Asked what would solve the case, Farina insists even a small tip could make the difference.
“Even a tidbit can turn into something big. God forbid this happens to somebody else.”
— Kathy Farina [30:50] - John Baccoli, left alone after the rest of his immediate family passed away, reflects on the hollow feeling of justice denied:
“The guilty party should be held accountable... But how do you just get away with murder?”
— John Baccoli [32:06] - The episode concludes with a reminder to not let victims’ backgrounds lead to apathy.
“They're all people. They're all human beings.”
— Kathy Farina [32:28]
Notable Quotes & Moments
- “They actually thought it might have been a mannequin. One of the construction folks actually took a board that they found outside and threw it at the body to see if it moved.” — Kathy Farina [05:00]
- “Somebody put her through hell.” — Kathy Farina [09:08]
- “It's like trying to drink from a fire hose.” — Kathy Farina [17:47]
- “Our vice squad...didn't offer any information relative to this crime. Unfortunately, we're dealing with drug dealers who have been through the system before, and they aren't usually very truthful with us.” — Kathy Farina [19:22]
- “The first time that we heard Dan's name was when we got that CODIS hit.” — Kathy Farina [22:34]
- “You may initially think that, oh, well, that's exciting, right? ...but it could also be me grabbing your arm and squeezing it and getting a little something under my fingernails.” — Kathy Farina [27:25]
- “My money, if I was a betting person, would still be on Dan, but I believe that maybe someone asked him to do it or paid him to do it.” — Kathy Farina [30:28]
- “The guilty party should be held accountable...But how do you just get away with murder?” — John Baccoli [32:06]
Timestamps for Major Segments
| Segment Topic | Start Time | |--------------------------------------------------------------------|------------| | Discovery of Jackie’s body | 02:55 | | Description of the crime scene (Farina) | 05:00 | | Medical findings, family’s fears and history | 09:08 | | Jackie’s life and family relationships (John Baccoli) | 10:15 | | Drug theft theory, witness accounts, investigation begins | 07:46 | | Scene contamination and evidence collected | 15:44 | | Canvassing, witness contradictions | 17:16 | | Forensic developments, DNA match, limits of evidence | 21:08 | | The “Dan” lead, methods and interview fallout | 22:34 | | District Attorney leak, effect on investigation | 26:39 | | Investigation stalls, Farina’s and John’s reflections | 30:28 | | Closing appeals for information | 32:41 |
Conclusion & Call to Action
The episode serves as a poignant reminder of the lives affected—not just lost—by violence and addiction, and the lasting impact on families searching for closure. Ashley Flowers and retired investigators urge listeners to come forward with any information, however small, that might finally bring justice for Jackie Baccoli.
To offer tips:
- Call: Rochester PD Major Crimes 585-428-7157
- Email: majorcrimes@cityofrochester.gov
- Or contact Crime Stoppers (anonymous): 585-423-9300
Visit thedeckpodcast.com for further resources and advocacy information.