DNA: ID
About the host; Jess Bettencourt:
Jess, a cum laude graduate of Georgetown Law School, practiced law for many years, but then decided to follow her passion for true crime. She now researches, writes, hosts and co-produces every episode of DNA: ID, the only podcast about cold case homicides and John and Jane Doe identifications solved by IGG. She also writes, hosts, and co-produces Missing Persons with Mike Morford. Her resume includes writing and co-producing Scene of the Crime; writing Season 1 of Campus Killings; and ghost writing for True Crime Garage.
About the show:
We all hear stories almost daily now about cold cases being solved by investigative genetic genealogy. This new crime-solving tool answers the “who” question about these often decades-old crimes.... but what about the why? This podcast will look at crimes solved by genetic genealogy, and examine the connection - if any - between the victim and the killer, and why the crime occurred. Each case is unique, and has its own story behind the headline. DNA: ID is hosted by Jess Bettencourt, and publishes every other Monday.
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Latest Episodes
Bonus Episode: Robert Eugene Brashers Identified as Killer in Austin Yogurt Shop Murders
This is a special bonus episode based on breaking news.
Serial Killer Robert Eugene Brashers has been identified as the killer in the infamous 1991 Austin Yogurt Shop Murders in Austin, Texas. In that case, four teenage girls were shot execution style before the yogurt shop was set on fire. Killed in that case were 17 year old Jennifer Harbison, and her 15 year old sister Sarah Harbison. Also killed were 17 year old Eliza Thomas, and 13 year old Amy Ayers. DNA from the crime scene was connected to Robert Eugene Brashers who we covered back in episode 104 in the murders of Sherri and Megan Scherer and Genevieve Zitricki.
In this bonus episode, host Jessica Bettencourt breaks down how the Yogurt shop murders were connected to Brashers, and discusses a yet unrevealed victim he may be linked to in Kentucky. We will also replay the original Brashers episode here for listeners who may not have listened to it before, or want a refresher on just how brutal a predator Robert Eugene Brashers was.
Episode 158 Mary Schlais Parts 1 & 2
In one of the oldest cold case homicides solved by IGG, Mary Schlais’s shocking murder in Dunn County, WI was finally resolved. Way back in 1974, a witness saw the killer disposing of Mary’s bloody body in a snowbank, and the killer dropped something at the scene… and yet, his identity eluded investigators for 50 years. Dunn County investigators never gave up on Mary’s case, and when investigative genetic genealogy came along, they jumped at the opportunity, once and for all, to obtain justice for the bright, multi-lingual, artistic young equestrian who had her whole life ahead of her until it was snatched away with a few thrusts of a knife. Finally, they had a name for the monster who stabbed Mary to death. And what they would hear from him was shocking.
Episode 157 Doe ID: Darylnn Washington
In 2006, a Jane Doe was found in a vacant home on the east side of Detroit. Police efforts to identify her were in vain, but the name of her killer soon emerged as a slew of murdered women were all linked to one man – Shelly Andre Brooks. Brooks confessed to murdering Jane Doe, but what can be done when the killer never knew his victim’s name? The answer is – investigative genetic genealogy. An IGG analysis pointed to a close family member of Jane Doe, and testing confirmed her name as Darylnn Washington.
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