Podcast Summary: The Deck – Jerene Mata (Queen of Spades, Washington)

Host: Ashley Flowers (audiochuck)
Episode Date: October 8, 2025

Overview

This episode of The Deck examines the unsolved murder of Jerene Mata, a 62-year-old woman found dead in her Yakima, Washington home in December 2013. Known for her vigilant security measures and reclusive nature, Jerene's shocking death stunned the local police—many of whom knew her personally. The episode unpacks Detective Drew Shaw’s detailed investigation, explores the evidence and suspects, and underscores the case’s lingering mysteries.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Discovery of the Crime

• Timeline:

  • December 7, 2013: As Yakima PD prepares for the annual Christmas party, Detective Drew Shaw is alerted to a suspected homicide at Jerene Mata's home.
  • Jerene's residence is infamous in the neighborhood for its many security cameras and her pointed vigilance.
  • The first responders (fire department) find Jerene’s body while responding to a house fire.
  • “[I] walked through the hallway of the house, which was black with soot… saw Jerene laying on the floor of the hallway near a bathroom. Her cat was just inside the bathroom, next to the toilet, deceased as well.” – Detective Shaw (06:09)

• Crime Scene Details:

  • Jerene's throat was slashed; wrists and ankles bound (excessive duct tape used).
  • Her body was twisted abnormally on her back.
  • Origin of fire was an attempt to destroy evidence (“clearly a case of arson…” – 07:10).
  • Jerene’s truck and electronics, plus hard drives connected to her surveillance system, were missing.

Security & Surveillance Oddities

• Security System:
  • Numerous cameras and a “command center” of big-screen TVs, all missing.
  • “Why she was so interested in that or felt that she needed that level of surveillance and security, I don't know.” – Detective Shaw (08:29)
• Purpose of Surveillance:
  • No direct evidence she was being targeted or consistently threatened. (09:33)

Clues and Witness Testimony

• Unusual Evidence Outside:

  • Three afghan blankets found in the street, possibly from Jerene’s home, with vomit on them.
    • “We speculated on whether that would possibly be from Jerene during the... assault, that maybe she became so upset that she vomited.” – Detective Shaw (13:14)

• Neighborhood Sightings:

  • Neighbor (Denise Lynn Mendez) saw two young men near the scene, one sweating profusely and in no coat despite freezing temperatures. The second shouted, “Keep running.” (13:22)
  • Another neighbor (Christa Hoptoit) reported sightings of a teal/green Grand Prix near Jerene's house at key times (before and after the crime) (14:05).

• Theory Building:

  • Detective Shaw suspects robbery went wrong, possibly with torture to extract financial information from Jerene. (15:32)
  • “She had suffered a significant beating to her face. It indicated to me that ... they had to, for lack of a better term, torture her ... in order to attempt to get her financial information.” – Detective Shaw (15:32)

Financial Trail & Evidence

• Bank Visits:
  • Multiple failed attempts followed by a successful withdrawal (<$1,000) from Jerene’s account at an ATM after her murder (17:52, 24:10).
  • Security camera footage captures a hooded suspect in dark glasses and a balaclava—face and details unrecognizable. (24:37)
  • “It shows a person in a hooded coat, balaclava, and black-rimmed glasses. Even though it appears at one point, they stare fixatedly towards the camera… you can't tell sex, skin tone, age, nothing.” – Ashley Flowers (24:37)

Discovery of Jerene’s Truck

• Location:
  • Truck found a few blocks away, near the home of Lloyd Calvert, a man with 35 prior arrests for property crimes (18:50).
  • Lloyd initially claims ignorance but later shares the suspicious presence of two known criminal associates seeking a ride that night (20:21).
  • All three (Lloyd and his two visitors) become persons of interest.

Forensic Challenges

• DNA Analysis (Late Summer 2014):
  • Female DNA (not Jerene's) found under Jerene’s fingernails; sample is “CODIS-worthy” but never matched (26:17).
    • “It is a good sample... and it is spinning around in CODIS as we sit here today. We've never had a hit, which was a little surprising...” – Detective Shaw (26:17)
  • Male DNA from duct tape (binding) does not match Lloyd or the other two main suspects; sample not suitable for CODIS (26:34-27:46).
  • Another male DNA profile on a screwdriver in the truck is identified as Jerene’s son, Chris—police clear him based on alibi and lack of motive/benefit (28:22).

Investigative Roadblocks & Current Status

• Main Suspects:

  • Lloyd Calvert (now deceased) and the two other unnamed property/theft suspects remain prime suspects, though no forensic matches tie them directly to the scene.

• Detective Shaw’s Theory & Commitment:

  • Belief that the attack was financially motivated, not personal.
    • “My gut tells me that it's not really personal… she appeared to either be in possession of something that was worth the risk or felt that because she was older and alone that she'd be an easy mark.” – Detective Shaw (30:10)
  • Case remains open and inactive pending new leads.
    • “I won’t stop working on it until the day I can’t do this job anymore.” – Detective Shaw (31:44)
  • Jerene ultimately died from smoke inhalation, not her injuries—house alarm went off twice during the assault but, due to policy, police were not alerted (31:15).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Vigilance and Isolation:
  • “She was the one that would yell at the kids if they got too close, or yell at you if you're parking in front of her house. That was just who she was. She was kind of the neighborhood busybody.” – Detective Shaw (05:07)
• Motivation for the Crime:
  • “Certainly not worth the life of another human.” – Detective Shaw, on the small cash withdrawal from Jerene’s bank account (24:10)
• Investigative Frustration:
  • “We've been so wrong about what we think happened, and then you go through the case, and you end up going down a path you never even begin to see coming.” – Detective Shaw (30:45)
• Dedication:
  • “It will be one of those cases...that I won’t stop working on until the day I can’t do this job anymore.” – Detective Shaw (31:44)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 04:10 – Discovery of Jerene’s Body (Crime Scene Details)
• 07:10 – Fire/Arson as Evidence Cover-Up
• 09:06 – Discovery of Missing Surveillance Equipment
• 13:10 – Discovery of Afghan Blankets with Vomit
• 13:22 – Key Eyewitness Olbservations
• 15:32 – Detective’s Initial Robbery (With Torture) Theory
• 17:52 – Recovery of Jerene’s Truck; Focus on Lloyd Calvert
• 24:10 – Bank ATM Footage and Financial Trail
• 26:17 – DNA Evidence and Roadblocks
• 30:10 – Detective Shaw’s Theory: Robbery, Not Personal
• 31:44 – Detective Shaw’s Commitment and the Case’s Status

Call to Action

If you have any information regarding the 2013 murder of Jerene Mata, please contact:

• Yakima Police Department: 509-575-6200
• Crime Stoppers (Anonymous): 1-800-222-8477
• Detective Drew Shaw (Direct): 509-576-6791

The episode is a haunting portrait of an unresolved murder, the complexities of cold case forensics, and the relentless push for justice—reminding listeners that tips from the public can make the difference in finally breaking the case.