Forensic Files (HD) - Season 13, Episode 20 - DNA Dragnet - Full Episode

Summary

The video script recounts two chilling murders in South Carolina that appear to be the work of a serial killer. Damaris Nguyen, a 55-year-old librarian, and Rhonda Ward, a 32-year-old convenience store worker, were both found dead after being sexually assaulted and strangled. Despite initial suspicions toward family members and close acquaintances, DNA evidence linked the two murders and pointed to a man named Frederick Evans. Surveillance footage and digital enhancements helped connect him to the crimes, leading to his conviction and death sentence.

Takeaways

• 🕵️‍♂️ A surveillance image raises questions about whether an encounter was a kidnapping or casual interaction, with digital enhancement indicating it wasn't consensual.
• 😨 The murder of 55-year-old librarian Damaris Wynn in Duncan Park, South Carolina, involved sexual assault and strangulation, with robbery ruled out as a motive.
• 💧 Heavy rain complicated the forensic investigation at the scene where Damaris's body was found.
• 🛑 Suspicion initially fell on Damaris's husband, James Wynn, due to suspicious actions like cremating her body against family wishes, but DNA evidence ruled him out.
• 🧬 The DNA from Damaris's killer did not match anyone in the national CODIS database, leaving the case unsolved for a time.
• 🚗 Five months later, 32-year-old Rhonda Ward was found murdered under similar circumstances, after surveillance footage showed her being abducted outside her workplace.
• 🔑 Forensic video enhancement revealed the assailant took control of Rhonda's car keys, indicating premeditation.
• 🔥 Rhonda's car was found burned, with the car radio missing, providing a key clue that led to the suspect, Frederick Evans.
• ⚖️ Evans had a violent criminal history, and DNA evidence connected him to both Damaris's and Rhonda's murders, leading to his conviction and death sentence.
• 🔬 The case emphasizes the importance of forensic evidence, especially DNA, in securing a conviction and death sentence in modern criminal trials.

Q & A

What was the main evidence that initially led police to suspect James Nguyen in his wife's murder?

The main evidence was Damaris's purple Walkman found at their home, while she was reportedly wearing it when she went for her walk. This contradicted James Nguyen's claim and raised suspicions about his involvement.

Why did police initially believe that robbery was not the motive in Damaris Nguyen's murder?

Damaris's jewelry was still on her body, which suggested that robbery was not the motive. This was a significant detail for the investigators as it pointed to a different motive for the crime.

What was the cause of death for Damaris Nguyen, and what additional details were revealed in the autopsy?

The cause of death was manual strangulation. The autopsy also revealed that she had been sexually assaulted, and there was evidence that the killer attempted to use the cord from her Walkman to strangle her.

What was the main factor that cleared James Nguyen as a suspect in his wife's murder?

James Nguyen was cleared as a suspect when his DNA did not match the DNA evidence collected from Damaris's rape kit.

What technological method did the Secret Service use to enhance the surveillance footage in the investigation of Rhonda Ward's murder?

The Secret Service used a refocusing technique where they set up a beam of light at the crime scene, photographed it with the surveillance camera, and analyzed the point source distortion to refocus the camera image.

What connection did investigators find between the murders of Damaris Nguyen and Rhonda Ward?

The DNA evidence from both crime scenes matched, indicating that the same perpetrator was responsible for both murders.

How did police identify Frederick Evans as the suspect in Rhonda Ward's murder?

Police identified Frederick Evans after a tip indicated he tried to trade a car radio, matching the missing item from Rhonda's car. His DNA also matched the evidence from both murders.

What was the significance of the missing car radio in solving Rhonda Ward's murder?

The missing car radio was significant because it linked Frederick Evans to the crime, as he tried to trade it for drugs, which led to his identification and capture.

Why did the police believe that Frederick Evans might have planned the murders?

Police believed Frederick Evans planned the murders because he seemed familiar with the locations, suggesting he might have scouted them beforehand. His previous criminal record and behavior patterns also suggested premeditation.

What role did DNA evidence play in the conviction of Frederick Evans?

DNA evidence was crucial in linking Frederick Evans to both murders, providing a strong forensic basis for his conviction and ultimately leading to his death sentence.