Podcast Summary: The Deck – Susie Timmons (9 of Diamonds, New York)

Host: Ashley Flowers
Date: October 29, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of "The Deck" centers on the cold case of 17-year-old Susie Timmons, represented as the Nine of Diamonds in the New York cold case deck. Susie was discovered brutally murdered in Rochester, New York in 1982, and her killer has remained unidentified for over four decades. In 2020, Investigator Seth Carr reopened her case with renewed hope thanks to advances in forensic technology. The episode explores the original investigation, the main suspects, witness statements, and efforts to break the case using new DNA testing—while inviting listeners to come forward with any information to finally bring Susie and her family justice.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Discovery of Susie Timmons and the Initial Investigation

• Timeline of Discovery

  • [02:06] First anonymous call at 11pm on July 29, 1982, reporting a woman’s body near Joseph Avenue; police were unable to find anything initially.
  • [04:00] A second call at noon the next day led police to discover Susie’s body—her remains were difficult to spot in a debris-filled lot.
  • Quote:

    "They were checking the vacant lot south of the railroad tracks and discovered the body of a young black female, face up between piles of dirt." — Investigator Carr [04:53]

• Crime Scene Details

  • Susie was found partially clothed, having suffered both blunt force injuries and over 60 stab wounds; there were signs of a rage-fueled attack but no definitive indication of sexual assault.

• Early Evidence and Leads

  • Found: a rock with blood, a shoe print, and Susie’s clothing. A second scene yielded bloody towels (one reading “psychiatric center”) and a tan T-shirt.
  • Blood typing tests were done in the 1980s but were inconclusive.
  • Quote:

    "When you see that volume of violence, that's like a fit of rage type violence." — Investigator Carr [06:08]

Susie’s Life and Circumstances

• Personal Background

  • At 17, Susie had a young child and was married to a 24-year-old man, Roy Timmons Sr., who was incarcerated at the time.
  • She sometimes engaged in sex work to support herself and her child.
  • Susie had recently reported two separate assaults to police, involving different men.
  • Quote:

    "Records also showed that at least twice, Susie had filed complaints with the police after being assaulted… within the two months before her murder." — Ashley Flowers [08:10]

• Investigation Focus

  • Two scenarios: attack by a stranger (possibly during sex work) or by someone with a personal connection, given the violence.
  • Investigators ruled out the two men Susie had accused of assault, with one being out of state and the other deemed a less viable suspect.

Main Suspects & Witnesses

"Anthony" (Boyfriend)

• Brought in soon after the murder, but initially lacked a solid alibi ([11:14]).
• Later, an ex-roommate provided an alibi for him, supported by family.
• Passed a polygraph test; never named as an official suspect.

"Dave" and "John" (Witness & Alleged Eyewitness)

• Dave made the first anonymous call; pointed police toward "John," who claimed to have witnessed the murder from an attic window.
• "John’s" account was inconsistent and possibly unverifiable.
• He described the attacker as Black, in his mid-20s, average build, tan work boots, wearing jeans and a blue shirt over a white T-shirt ([14:54]).
• John went on to be convicted of a sexual assault in the 1990s but died in 2023 before his DNA could be compared to evidence in Susie’s case.

"Kody" (Inmate Informant)

• In 1986, Kody (then incarcerated for burglary) contacted police claiming to have been present the night Susie died, implicating Anthony and another woman.
• His story contradicted previous evidence, including timelines and suspect statements.
• Under pressure, he uttered:

  "I did it now what." [20:49]

  • Investigator Carr interpreted this as likely sarcasm, not a confession ([21:18]).

Reinvestigation and Forensic Advances

• DNA Testing Efforts

  • 2013: Partial DNA profiles obtained from the tan T-shirt and towels, but degraded remains from Susie could not be matched or ruled out.

  • [23:20] After reopening the case, Investigator Carr obtained a reference sample from Susie’s son and prioritized new DNA testing.

  • Determined: The bloody items from the second scene did not match Susie's case; attention shifted back to crime scene DNA.

  • A new male DNA profile emerged from the original scene—suitable for CODIS submission but no matches yet, not even to Anthony or Kody ([24:47]).

  • Quote:

    "This is why we revisit cases like this, because we have technology today that we didn't have back in 1982..." — Investigator Carr [24:26]

• Elimination of Suspects

  • 2021: Kody’s DNA was tested after investigators took a cigarette he smoked during an interview—it did not match the crime scene ([26:11]).
  • John’s DNA is not in CODIS; his death complicates further comparison, though old evidence may still hold answers.

• Early Tips Revisted

  • A witness the night of the murder described seeing a man (6' tall, Black, wearing khaki pants, shirt, and hat) forcing a woman under an underpass ([28:12]).
  • Notably, none of the main suspects fit this physical description, suggesting a possible unknown perpetrator.

The Present and Hope for Answers

• The case remains active and on Investigator Carr’s desk; Susie’s son has cooperated with renewed investigation.

• The existing DNA evidence is not yet sufficient for familial DNA tracing, but advances in technology could change that.

• Call to Action:

  • Investigator Carr makes a direct appeal:

    "Now's the time...We just need the information. We need the information because we can prove it through science if you point us in the right direction." [30:11]

• Why It Matters:

  • The emotional toll on Susie's family, especially her son—who was just a toddler when his mother was killed—is highlighted.
  • Listeners are asked to come forward with any information that could finally bring closure.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "When you see that volume of violence, that's like a fit of rage type violence. And typically that would indicate…that maybe the suspect has like an actual relationship with this person." — Investigator Carr [06:08]
• "The thinning out of the case file is a physical representation of leads drying up." — Ashley Flowers [15:01]
• "I did it now what." — Kody [20:49]
• "This is why we revisit cases like this, because we have technology today that we didn't have back in 1982." — Investigator Carr [24:26]
• "What's so heartbreaking about Susie's case, besides just how young she was, is that there's never just one victim." — Ashley Flowers [30:50]
• "Now's the time... We just need the information. We need the information because we can prove it through science if you point us in the right direction." — Investigator Carr [30:11]

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment / Key Moment | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:06 | Start of Susie Timmons case details | | 06:08 | Discussion about the nature of the attack | | 10:07 | Investigator Carr outlines key murder scenarios | | 14:54 | Eyewitness 'John' describes the murder | | 20:49 | 'Kody' responds "I did it now what" under police questioning | | 24:26 | Investigator Carr discusses advances in DNA technology | | 26:11 | Kody’s DNA is determined not to be a match | | 28:12 | Early witness describes confrontation with unidentified man | | 30:11 | Investigator Carr’s call to action for public tips | | 30:50 | Ashley reflects on the continuing impact on Susie’s family |

Conclusion & Call to Action

The Susie Timmons case remains open and under active investigation, with new DNA evidence offering hope for the future. Investigators urge anyone with information—even anonymously—to come forward, emphasizing that scientific advances can corroborate new leads. Susie's story is a reminder of the heartbreak unsolved murders leave behind, not just for the victim, but for entire families and communities.

If you have any information:
Contact Rochester Police Major Crimes Unit at 585-428-7157 or Crime Stoppers at 585-423-9300. Anonymity is available.