A Strangely Murderous Grudge - Fayette, Maine

This episode covers the murder of Judith Flagg, who was brutally killed in her home on January 6, 1983. Her husband, Ted Flagg, discovered her body with their one-year-old son Chad covered in blood. The police investigation revealed multiple errors due to mismanagement at the crime scene, which included dozens of relatives trampling through before authorities arrived. Judith's death initially seemed to be a whodunit case, with no clear suspects. Over the years, the case went cold, despite the presence of an array of circumstantial evidence and several suspects, including Thomas Mitchell, whose connection to the victim's home stemmed from a personal grievance. Years later, advances in DNA technology implicated Mitchell as the perpetrator, leading to his conviction in 2006 after a lengthy process that involved his defense attempting to introduce alternate suspects without success. The episode illustrates the struggles of law enforcement in solving cold cases and the importance of modern forensic science in bringing justice.