Ep 8. The Missing Hunters/The Flashlight Rapist

In this episode of Cold Case Files Classic season 4, two unsolved cases are brought to light. The first case, The Missing Hunters, takes place in the mountains of Montana where two experienced hunters, Rick Krogman and Eugene Hebert, disappeared under suspicious circumstances. The episode follows the investigation into their disappearance and the struggles of their families as they search for answers.

The second case, The Flashlight Rapist, centers around a series of brutal attacks that occurred in California during the late 1970s and early 1980s. The attacker would use a flashlight to blind his victims before sexually assaulting them. The case went cold for years until DNA evidence linked the crimes together, leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator.

As the episode unfolds, viewers are taken on a journey through the investigative processes used by law enforcement in both cases. For The Missing Hunters, authorities comb through the rugged terrain of the Montana mountains, searching for any clues or evidence that could lead to the discovery of Krogman and Hebert's whereabouts. Interviews with family members and friends provide insight into the men's lives and personalities in the hopes of finding any connections that could lead to a break in the case.

Meanwhile, in The Flashlight Rapist case, investigators use early forensic techniques to try and gather evidence while the rapist is still at large. Interviews with survivors and key witnesses are conducted in an attempt to identify possible suspects. The episode then follows the investigation as detectives zero in on a potential suspect and use DNA evidence to build a case against him.

Throughout both cases, the episode explores the emotional toll that these unsolved crimes have had on the families of the victims. The pain of the unknown and the struggle to maintain hope for justice is palpable as family members recount their experiences.

In the end, the episode doesn't offer any easy answers or neat resolutions to these complex cases. Instead, it highlights the tireless work of investigators and the importance of keeping these cases open, no matter how many years have passed. The Missing Hunters and The Flashlight Rapist remain tragic examples of the need for justice and the perseverance of law enforcement in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.