The Girlfriends: Spotlight, E5: Rose Solves, At Least, 86 Cold Cases
Release Date: April 28, 2025
Host: Anna Sinfield
Produced by iHeartPodcasts and Novel
Introduction
In this gripping episode of The Girlfriends: Jailhouse Lawyer, host Anna Sinfield delves deep into the inspiring true story of Rose Brady, a dedicated police sergeant whose relentless pursuit of justice led her to solve 86 cold cases of sexual violence in Baltimore County. This episode not only highlights Rose's professional challenges and triumphs but also underscores the profound personal connections that fueled her determination.
The Birth of a Mission
The story begins in 2004, a pivotal year for Rose Brady. After years of leading the homicide team in Baltimore County Police Department (PD), Rose transitions to the Special Victims Unit (SVU), a department grappling with thousands of unsolved sexual assault cases dating back decades. Unlike her previous role, Rose finds the SVU underfunded and overlooked, often referred to disparagingly as the "redheaded stepchild" of the PD.
Rose Brady [08:24]: "Sex crimes is what it was called at the time, till we changed the name. And my guys didn't even have the latest equipment, so I always called us, like, the redheaded stepchild or something."
This stark contrast ignites Rose's frustration, particularly when she recounts a case where a brutal rape went unpunished due to societal prejudices against the victim's profession.
Rose Brady [08:49]: "You got me riled up there. It's infuriating. It makes you feel like there isn't really, you know, the system we have in place isn't necessarily built to serve."
A Discovery That Changed Everything
Shortly after taking charge of the SVU, Rose learns from her friend Mary, a forensic worker, about Dr. Rudi Breitenecker—a visionary forensic pathologist who, starting in 1977, meticulously preserved every piece of biological evidence from rape examinations at Greater Baltimore Medical Center. Unlike other departments that discarded evidence due to space constraints and the nascent state of DNA technology, Dr. Breitenecker believed in the future potential of this data.
Rose Brady [05:53]: "I knew, and I think I told her this, that there's a gold mine there."
Recognizing the untapped potential, Rose envisions utilizing these preserved samples to solve cold cases by matching DNA against the national CODIS database. She instructs her team to sift through cases dating back to 1977, focusing on stranger rapes—crimes where the perpetrator was unknown and often never seen by the victim.
Rose Brady [12:00]: "The reason why I wanted to pursue them is because if they raped this girl and there's a stranger rape, then they're still out there. So we still wanted to pursue it because we still had to find whoever that did it and get them in jail."
The First Breakthrough
In 2004, Rose's team secures a hit from the CODIS database linked to Thaddeus Clemens, a known rapist serving time for a crime from the 1980s. This success serves as a catalyst, reinforcing the efficacy of their approach and motivating the team to dive deeper into the pool of cold cases.
Rose Brady [22:14]: "He was arrested for it. He was convicted of it, and that's what put his DNA into the CODIS database. That's how we got him."
Encouraged by Clement's conviction, Rose and her team begin methodically processing thousands of cases, extracting DNA, and matching profiles. Their persistence soon pays off as multiple hits begin to surface, revealing a serial rapist who had evaded capture for nearly three decades.
Rose Brady [27:01]: "When we started submitting the slides, I started getting hits. Like the first one I had, I had two hits from, like, two different cases, two different victims, and the suspect unknown."
A Personal Connection
The investigation takes a deeply personal turn when DNA evidence connects the notorious rapist to a 1978 case involving Rose's close friend, Laura Newman. This revelation not only intensifies Rose's resolve but also adds emotional weight to her mission.
Rose Brady [28:17]: "When I first came on, a friend of mine was sexually assaulted, and it was never cleared."
Determined to bring closure to Laura and countless other survivors, Rose accelerates her efforts. Her team's breakthrough comes unexpectedly through a forgotten TV interview featuring Alfonso Hill, a convicted rapist whose DNA had yet to be entered into CODIS due to systemic delays.
Rose Brady [39:24]: "I said, so I'm just telling you, Sarge, it looks just like him."
Utilizing her resources and connections, Rose orchestrates the extraction and testing of Hill's DNA against existing evidence, leading to his confession and the unraveling of his extensive crime spree.
The Triumph and Its Impact
In 2008, Alfonso Hill is finally held accountable for his decades of heinous crimes. The courtroom scene is poignant, with survivors confronting their perpetrator after years of fear and uncertainty.
Rose Brady [41:01]: "Every single one of them, except for one, wanted to be there. It was just something you just don't see."
Judge's acknowledgment of Dr. Breitenecker's foresight underscores the collaborative effort behind these victories.
Judge [41:56]: "That's a shame Dr. Breitenecker's not here, because what he's done and what he thought before anyone else did is why we're here."
Rose's relentless pursuit not only brings justice to the victims but also transforms the SVU, leading to the establishment of a dedicated cold case unit post her retirement.
Rose Brady [43:56]: "They got one after I retired. They finally put one together. Yeah."
Conclusion and Reflections
As the episode concludes, Rose reflects on the role of fate and determination in her journey, emphasizing the significance of support systems and the continuous fight against sexual violence.
Rose Brady [44:18]: "And there's plenty of victim agencies that will help you get through the emotional part of it, because don't live with it without telling people. There's so much help out there, but you have to ask for it."
Anna Sinfield offers a sobering statistic to highlight the broader context of sexual violence in the United States:
Anna Sinfield [46:38]: "One out of six women in the United States have experienced sexual violence. And research from the Rape, Abuse and Incest Network suggests that for every 1,000 rapes that happen in the United States, only 384 are reported to the police and only seven end in a felony conviction."
Despite the daunting numbers, Rose's story serves as a beacon of hope, illustrating that with dedication, resources, and unwavering commitment, justice can prevail even in the most overlooked corners of the legal system.
Key Takeaways
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Persistence Pays Off: Rose Brady's unwavering determination showcases the impact one dedicated individual can have in transforming institutional shortcomings into triumphs.
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Importance of Preserved Evidence: Dr. Breitenecker's foresight in preserving forensic evidence decades ago became the cornerstone for solving numerous cold cases.
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Personal Motivation: Personal connections, such as Rose's friendship with Laura Newman, can drive professionals to exceed expectations and achieve monumental successes.
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Systemic Changes: The establishment of a cold case unit post-Rose's tenure signifies the lasting legacy of her efforts and the systemic changes they inspired.
Support and Resources
For those affected by the themes discussed in this episode, NO MORE is a partnered domestic violence charity offering support and resources. Visit no-more.org for assistance.
Production Credits:
Written and Produced by Jake Otyvich
Assistant Producer: Lucy Carr
Researcher: Zayana Yusuf
Editor: Hannah Marshall
Executive Producers: Max O'Brien and Craig Strachan
Sound Design and Mixing: Nicholas Alexander and Daniel Kempson
Music Supervision: Jay Kotajevic, Nicholas Alexander, and Anna Sinfield
Original Music Composed by Louisa Gerstein and Gemma Freeman
Series Artwork by Christina Lehmkul
Special Thanks:
Katrina Norvell, Carrie Lieberman, and Will Pearson at iHeart Podcasts, Carly Frankel, and the entire team at WME.
This episode was produced by Novel for iHeart Podcasts.