Podcast Summary: "The Hand in the Window" Bonus Episode: "Dana" (Dec 16, 2025, ABC News / 20/20)

Overview

This special bonus episode delves into the case of an unidentified murder victim referred to as "Dana" by confessed serial killer Shawn Grate. While Grate confessed to multiple murders, "Dana" was a mysterious victim whose real identity remained unknown for years. The episode chronicles the determined efforts of detectives and forensic experts to uncover who "Dana" was, utilizing innovative technology and investigative persistence. Hosted by Brad Milke and John Quinones, the episode reveals the emotional toll of the case, the intricacies of forensic reconstruction, and the eventual resolution that brought closure to one family.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Shawn Grate’s Confession and Introduction to "Dana"

• Confession Details (00:29–02:11)
  • After being arrested for kidnapping, rape, and two murders, Grate tells Detective Kim Major of an additional, unidentified victim. He only remembers "her name's Dana...I totally forget her name" (John Quinones quoting Grate, 01:59).
  • The victim had been a traveling magazine salesperson who had encountered Grate at his and his grandparents' homes.
  • Grate describes luring her inside, assaulting, strangling, and ultimately killing and burning her body in 2006 in Marion County, Ohio.

2. Investigative Obstacles and Early Forensic Work

• Cold Case Challenges (03:28–04:09)
  • The victim’s body is found in 2007, burned and without any personal effects. Detectives know only basic characteristics: white, 5'3"–5'9" tall, 15–22 years old, but she's unidentifiable.
  • Early facial reconstruction attempts are unsuccessful; Grate himself says the composite "doesn't look like the woman" he remembers (John Quinones, 04:20).

3. Advanced Forensic Facial Reconstruction

• Samantha Molnar’s Role (04:55–07:09)
  • Forensic artist Samantha Molnar from the Ohio Bureau of Investigation is brought in for a more accurate clay reconstruction. She explains, "once we had the [skull]...I basically start doing the clay reconstruction from there..." (Samantha Molnar, 05:44).
  • Using CT scanning and 3D printing of the skull, she builds a new facial sculpture.
  • Molnar meets Grate to verify the reconstruction: "He tells her that yes, it looked much more like the woman that he remembered" (John Quinones, 07:00).
  • She describes the encounter with Grate as "extremely eerie...he didn't look like a monster" (Samantha Molnar, 07:09).

4. The Breakthrough: Isotope Testing

• Expanding the Search (11:38–13:07)
  • Investigators turn to isotope testing, analyzing Dana’s tooth and rib: "You are what you eat...everything you eat, the source of the water you drink...shows up in your bones" (John Quinones, 11:38).
  • Results indicate Dana was likely from the southern U.S., between Texas and Florida, not Ohio (Samantha Molnar, 12:28).

5. Genetic Genealogy and Final Identification

• DNA Technology’s Role (13:36–14:20)
  • Investigators use genetic genealogy databases to build a family tree.
  • "There is a break in the case...it leads to the name Dana Lowery" (John Quinones, 14:10).
  • Molnar explains the confirmation: "We were able to swab her daughter...and then successfully identify Dana as the victim" (Samantha Molnar, 14:20).
  • Dana Lowery was a mother who had left home to sell magazines, intending to return but never made it back.

6. Aftermath and Emotional Impact

• Closure and Community Trauma (15:21–17:37)
  • Identification occurs in 2019—more than a decade after her murder, years after Grate’s confession and death penalty sentencing.
  • Quinones shares his perspective visiting crime scenes: "People still remember, you know, everyone still talks about it...I went to...areas where the women’s bodies were found" (John Quinones, 16:12).
  • Detective Kim Major, instrumental in Grate’s confessions, has written a book titled A Hunger to Kill—named after Grate’s chilling words.
  • The episode closes reflecting on the story’s tragedy and the tenacity of investigators: "A testament to the persistence of these investigators" (Brad Milke, 17:29; John Quinones, 17:35).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Grate’s casual confession:
  • "I'm thinking her name's Dana. I totally forget her name after a while. Dana." (John Quinones quoting Grate, 01:59)
• On forensic reconstruction:
  • "Once we had [the skull], we can actually 3D print an exact replica...and then...start doing the clay reconstruction from there." (Samantha Molnar, 05:44)
• Describing the encounter with Grate:
  • "He didn't look like a monster." (Samantha Molnar, 07:09)
• On isotope testing:
  • "Everything you eat, the source of the water you drink...shows up in your bones." (John Quinones, 11:38)
• Emotional impact of the case:
  • "I think...the thing that struck my heartstrings the most was those kids growing up not knowing, thinking maybe their mom just didn't want to call anymore...but that wasn't the case at all." (Samantha Molnar, 15:04)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:29–02:11 – Grate's confession about Dana
• 03:28–04:20 – Investigators’ knowledge & challenges identifying Dana
• 04:55–07:09 – Forensic artist Samantha Molnar’s involvement and reconstruction process
• 07:43–08:20 – National and international search for Dana’s identity
• 11:38–13:07 – Isotope testing reveals Dana’s Southern origin
• 13:36–14:20 – Application of genetic genealogy, identification as Dana Lowery
• 16:12–17:37 – Legacy of the case, community memory, and Detective Major’s book

Tone & Language

The episode maintains an investigative, empathetic tone—balancing technical forensic details, emotional testimony from investigators, and respectful remembrance of the victims. Both Brad Milke and John Quinones guide listeners through complex investigative steps while highlighting the lasting human impact.

For listeners, this episode provides a gripping, step-by-step account of solving a "Jane Doe" cold case, showcases innovations in forensic science, and offers a heartfelt reminder that every victim has a story that deserves to be told.