Podcast Summary: The Unforgotten – Season 1, Episode 8: "The Breakthrough"

Release Date: August 19, 2024
Hosted by Carol Dawson and Wes Ferguson (Free Range Productions)

Overview

In Episode 8, "The Breakthrough," Carol Dawson and Wes Ferguson delve into major developments in the 30-year unsolved murder of Shelley Salter Watkins ("The Labor Day Ghost"). The episode focuses on recent efforts by the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office to leverage new forensic DNA technologies and genealogical research, explores the persistent influence and relationships in Jerry Mack Watkins’ inner circle, and uncovers how power, silence, and money have shaped this long-cold case.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The DNA Breakthrough – Or Is It?

• Recent Advances: Sheriff Bodie Hillhouse reveals the department collected all possible evidence from Shelly Watkins’ crime scene (plastic, tape, clothing, ropes) and sent it for advanced DNA analysis in California.
• Touch DNA Identified: The lab found a possible male DNA profile among the evidence.
• No CODIS Match: The DNA profile was entered into the federal database CODIS, but produced no matches.

  Sheriff Hillhouse: "They were able to get a profile. Male profile... it's been entered into CODIS. Yeah, nothing. No hits on it." (03:06)

• Jerry Mack Eliminated: A direct comparison excludes Jerry Mack and his family as the source of this DNA.

  Hillhouse: "We went back and got another search, went down, got Jerry Mack’s DNA and it did not match." (03:21)

• Search For Help: The case’s lead investigators keep changing jobs, delaying progress. The sheriff turned to genealogists to identify the DNA through family trees.

2. Genealogy as a Tool (But With Obstacles)

• Forensic Genealogy Hopes: Hillhouse describes reaching out to a genealogy expert in Denton County (likely Cheryl Hester) to build a family tree from the DNA and find leads.

  Hillhouse: "This lady has assisted in solving some very high profile cases... she's very interested in this case." (05:02)

• No Actual Progress: Hester's company, Advanced DNA, tells the journalists she's never worked the Watkins case. The genealogical angle, built up as huge, in reality has seen no movement.
• Communication Breakdown: Carol and Wes detail being repeatedly stonewalled by the sheriff’s department. Initial enthusiasm from Sheriff Hillhouse faded to complete silence after the first interview.

3. The Core Circle of Jerry Mack Watkins

Carol and Wes investigate those closest to Jerry Mack – friends and associates who may have information about the night Shelly vanished or may have helped him after the crime.

a) Kay Watkins (Jerry Mack's Wife)

• Backstory: Kay, originally married to Jerry Mack’s college roommate Dennis, lived nearby during Shelly’s life. She and Jerry Mack were reputedly close; alleged by multiple sources to have had an affair prior to Shelly’s death.
• Post-crime Support: Kay helped Jerry Mack during the grand jury proceedings and later married him, adopting Shelly’s daughters.

  "Less than three months after the indictment was dropped, Kaye filed for divorce... Jerry Mack and Kay were married soon thereafter in Hawaii." (13:28)

• Legal Shield: As Jerry Mack’s wife, she cannot be compelled to testify against him after their marriage, but could be forced if new charges involve the period before.
• Quote:
  Sandy (Shelly’s sister): "There's not any part of this whole thing since the day she was killed that has even been slightly legitimate." (25:52)

b) Carolyn Taylor (The Poker Queen)

• Role: Shelly’s supportive neighbor, and a key grand jury witness against Jerry Mack. Longtime rivalry developed into an odd friendship after Carolyn was arrested in a raid and subsequently started working for Jerry Mack’s father, Carmack Watkins.
• Dependency: Carmack gave Carolyn loans, cash, and jobs after her business closed.
• Endgame: Despite her initial hatred, Carolyn became close to Jerry Mack and Kay, and Jerry Mack was her pallbearer.

c) Louis Palos (The Cop and "Brother")

• History: Jerry Mack’s childhood friend and former Corsicana police officer. Key suspect in helping cover up the crime, he quietly filed Shelly’s missing person report outside protocol.
• Law Enforcement Suspicion: Hillhouse says investigators got a "highly nervous" impression from Palos during interviews and hoped his status as a church deacon might inspire confession.

  Hillhouse: "Investigators came back with an odd feeling. You know, he was highly nervous... you could just sense that something wasn't right." (20:01)

• Unobtained DNA: Investigators have not been able to acquire Palos’s DNA.

d) Gary Schlemmer (The Loyal Friend)

• Behind the Scenes: Lifelong bachelor tied to the Watkins payroll; a prime person of interest for investigators. Avoids speaking to journalists and relies financially on his relationship with Watkins Construction.

  Wes: "Gary seemed pretty rattled from the moment I introduced myself... Jerry Mack is Gary’s meal ticket." (33:54)

4. Alleged Misuse of the Trust Fund

• Manipulated Financial Safeguard: Jerry Mack, compelled by a wrongful death civil settlement to set up a $100,000 trust for his daughters (from Shelly), engineered a transfer where the trust fund was used to buy a virtually worthless property from his own company, keeping the money in the family.

  Wes: “He then sold two acres of his own construction company yard to the trust for $100,000... it has not accrued any value.” (24:22)

• Trustees’ Conflict of Interest: All three trust overseers were top Williams Construction employees, possibly undermining the intended independence of the trust.

  Sandy: "So I shot myself in the foot on that one, I guess." (24:17)

5. Law Enforcement Frustration & Stonewalling

• Communication Barriers: Journalists are systematically denied access as the investigation stalls.
• Theories: Possibilities for police silence range from active new inquiries to simple lack of evidence or unwillingness to admit stasis.
• Ex-FBI Perspective:

  Carolyn (ex-FBI): “You and I know who did it.” (09:25)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• Sheriff Bodie Hillhouse (on the DNA):
  “They were able to get a profile. Male profile...it's been entered into CODIS. Yeah, nothing. No hits on it.” (03:06)

• Carol Dawson (on the family tree):
  “Oh, that’s the family tree business. Gotcha.” (06:33)

• Sandy (Shelly’s sister):
  “There’s not any part of this whole thing since the day she was killed that has even been slightly legitimate. Every single thing has been a bad turn here, a bad turn there. All this power. And I’m just baffled by it…” (25:52)

• Wes Ferguson (on Gary Schlemmer):
  "That's none of your business, Gary says. I look up. The bartenders have all stopped pouring drinks. They're just standing there uncomfortably, watching us." (32:36)

• Carolyn (witness, reflecting on Jerry Mack):
  "The more that I was around him... he let his guard down. That's when I really saw Jerry Watkins for who he is. And I knew that that man was capable of anything." (34:55)

Notable Segment Timestamps

• 00:01–01:38: Carol's interview with Sheriff Bodie Hillhouse; DNA evidence discussion.
• 03:00–04:13: Lab results, genealogist involvement, and lack of investigation progress.
• 10:15–14:18: Analysis of Kay Watkins' history and role.
• 15:09–16:11: Carolyn Taylor’s backstory and links to the Watkins family.
• 18:38–20:16: Interviews and suspicions surrounding Louis Palos.
• 20:38–24:22: The manipulation of the daughters' trust and financial machinations.
• 31:24–33:54: Wes Ferguson attempts to confront Gary Schlemmer.
• 34:55–35:25: Closing, with powerful reflection from someone who once trusted Jerry Mack.

Tone & Style

The episode feels dogged, inquisitive, and at times, frustrated. Carol and Wes convey both fascination with new investigative tools and exasperation at the case’s enduring roadblocks—secrecy, influence, and conflicting loyalties. Their approach mixes narrative reporting, candid interviews, and forensic curiosity, all with a distinctly southern, small-town noir feel.

Takeaway

Episode 8 unpacks how a potentially crucial DNA clue in Shelly Watkins’ murder has led to more questions, not fewer—exposing dead ends in both scientific analysis and local cooperation. The episode finds the "breakthrough" is not just forensic or procedural, but points instead to the insularity, influence, and power woven through the Watkins family’s orbit, the local justice system, and small-town social hierarchies. The mystery persists, yet the closer the reporters get to the heart of the circle, the more resistance – and silence – they encounter.

Next Episode Preview:
As the team gains access to someone from inside Jerry Mack's trusted circle, they promise startling insights in Episode 9.