Ep 6. Innocent Prey/The Punishment

In this episode of Cold Case Files Classic Season 4, entitled "Innocent Prey/The Punishment," viewers are taken on a journey into two separate cases that eventually lead to the capture of a notorious serial killer.

The first case, "Innocent Prey," centers around the disappearance of 17-year-old Kelly Eckart in 1987. The high school student was last seen leaving a convenience store and was never heard from again. Her mother, Connie, spent years searching for her daughter, but it wasn't until 2003 that a break in the case occurred. DNA evidence found on Kelly's clothing connected her disappearance to Henry Lee Lucas, a well-known serial killer.

Lucas, who had killed at least 11 women in the 1980s, was initially ruled out as a suspect in Kelly's case due to his location at the time of her disappearance. However, it was discovered that Lucas had been traveling across the country during that period and could have easily made his way to Ohio, where Kelly was from. With the help of DNA evidence and a confession from Lucas, Connie finally received the closure she had been searching for.

The second case, "The Punishment," revolves around the murder of Kim Medlin in 1983. Kim, a 20-year-old college student, had been working at a convenience store in North Carolina when she was brutally stabbed to death. Initially, police had little to go on in the case and it remained unsolved for years.

It wasn't until 2004 that a renewed effort to solve the case led to a breakthrough. DNA evidence found at the crime scene was eventually linked to Henry Louis Wallace, a former co-worker of Kim's. Wallace had moved away from the area shortly after the murder and had been living under an assumed name in another state. With the help of DNA evidence and a sting operation, Wallace was finally brought to justice for the murder of Kim Medlin and several other women.

Throughout both cases, viewers are given a glimpse into the tireless work of law enforcement officers and the perseverance of families searching for answers. The episode also highlights the importance of DNA evidence in solving cold cases, and the advances in technology that have made it possible to identify perpetrators decades after the crime.

"Innocent Prey/The Punishment" is a riveting episode of Cold Case Files Classic that is sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. Through expert storytelling and in-depth investigation, the show sheds light on two cases that were mysteries for years, ultimately leading to justice for the victims and closure for their families.