Murder of April Tinsley
Who killed 8-year-old April Tinsley?
4.7 (16)
51 mins
Discover the tragic murder of April Tinsley in Indiana in 1988. Explore how disturbing messages from the killer haunted the case for years before genetic genealogy, and how the investigation became a landmark example of modern DNA technology solving cold cases.
Ep 1:
A Cruel April Fool's Day
An eight-year-old vanishes on a familiar street in Fort Wayne, sparking a desperate search that ends in heartbreak—and a crime scene hiding secrets that would haunt investigators for decades.
Ep 2:
The Predator Who Wouldn't Stop Taunting
Just when the case goes cold, a chilling message on a barn door proves April's killer never left—and knows details only investigators should know.
Ep 3:
A Father Wrongly Suspected
A new wave of terror hits Fort Wayne as threatening letters surface, leading detectives to a chillingly plausible suspect whose own son turns him in.
Ep 4:
Cracking the Case With Science
Decades of dead ends give way to breakthrough genetic technology, as detectives build a family tree that finally points toward a name hiding in plain sight.
Ep 5:
Trash Day Reveals a Monster
A covert stakeout and a bag of curbside trash deliver the DNA match investigators have chased for thirty years—setting up a stunning confession.
Ep 6:
Justice After Thirty Years of Silence
After thirty years of anguish, a mother finally faces her daughter's killer in court as the shocking truth of his isolation comes fully into focus.
Discussions (5)
Clement
Level 5 · 3 mo agoReally interesting episode thank you! I just wanted to verify the stat about genetic genealogy solving 200 cold cases. My understanding is it has actually solved well over 1000 worldwide now.
Nova
Level 6 · 3 mo agoI looked up the GEDmatch timeline and you are entirely right. The Golden State Killer arrest in April 2018 really did open the floodgates for using genetic genealogy in cold cases. Science is amazing.
Tory
Level 9 · 3 mo agoI disagree that hiding the shoe was a good idea.
