Ep 24. Deja Vu / Secret in the Well

In the beloved true crime series Cold Case Files Classic, Season 4, episode 24 presents two intriguing cases, each with their own unique mysteries: "Deja Vu" and "Secret in the Well."

In "Deja Vu," detectives in Steuben County, Indiana are haunted by a case dating back to 1989. A young woman named April Tinsley was abducted from her neighborhood, sexually assaulted, and murdered. Despite extensive investigations, the case went cold for over a decade. However, in 2004, a chilling discovery reignited the search for the killer: a message scrawled on a barn in the same handwriting as a series of anonymous notes sent to the Tinsley family and local schools. The message read, "I kill 8-year-old April M Tinsley. Did you find her other shoe haha I will kill again." With advanced DNA testing techniques, authorities finally had a breakthrough, leading them to arrest and convict John Miller in 2018 for April's murder. "Deja Vu" covers this notorious and chilling case, highlighting the tireless efforts of the committed law enforcement officials who never gave up hope and the community traumatized by the crime.

Meanwhile, in "Secret in the Well," the unsolved death of a young girl named Carol Ann Stephens comes to light. Growing up in Copperas Cove, Texas in the 1950s, Carol was known as an innocent, sweet child. However, one day, her body was discovered down a well shaft on a nearby family farm. The mystery surrounding her death only deepened when the autopsy revealed that Carol had been sexually assaulted and strangled to death. With no clear suspects or leads, the case stalled and was never solved. Almost 50 years later, however, the shocking revelation of a possible suspect brought the case back into attention. "Secret in the Well" examines the tragic events surrounding Carol's death and the possibility of finally bringing her killer to justice.

With two unique cases, "Deja Vu" and "Secret in the Well" present hard-hitting storylines that are both compelling and thought-provoking. Viewers will be spellbound by the suspenseful twists and turns of each story and captivated by the law enforcement officials' relentless pursuit of justice for each victim. As always, Todd Matthews, the show's creator and narrator, provides insightful commentary into the complexities of each case, making for an educational and emotional viewing experience.