Ep 19. Daddy Dearest / A Pastor's Wife

In season 5, episode 19 of Cold Case Files Classic, titled "Daddy Dearest / A Pastor's Wife," viewers are taken on a journey through two separate cases that involve shocking crimes committed by parents and loved ones.

In the first half of the episode, viewers are introduced to the murder of three-year-old Candra Alamillo, who was found beaten to death in her own home in 1994. The prime suspect in the case was her father, Joe Alamillo, who was known to have a history of violence and drug use. Despite his suspicious behavior and attempts to lie to investigators, Joe was able to evade being charged with his daughter's murder for almost a decade.

However, the case was eventually reopened thanks to the diligent work of the San Antonio Police Department Cold Case Squad. They were able to track down new witnesses and gather more evidence, which ultimately led to Joe Alamillo's arrest and conviction for the murder of his young daughter. This case serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of justice, even in cases where the perpetrator is a loved one and the evidence is scarce.

In the second half of the episode, viewers delve into the chilling case of Mary Cecilia Rogers, a mother and pastor's wife who was brutally murdered in her own home in 1993. Rogers was known for her community involvement and her work as a religious leader, but her life was tragically cut short when she was found strangled to death in her bedroom.

Despite initial investigations and multiple suspects, Mary's case remained unsolved for over a decade. It wasn't until the Cold Case Squad was able to reopen her case and take a closer look at the evidence that they were able to identify a new suspect: a man named Donald Aldrich who had once been a member of Mary's church congregation.

Through DNA evidence and witness testimony, investigators were able to build a compelling case against Aldrich, who was eventually convicted of Mary Cecilia Rogers' murder. Viewers of this episode will be left to ponder the motives behind this horrifying crime, as well as the incredible dedication and hard work put forth by those who worked to bring justice to Mary and her family.

Overall, "Daddy Dearest / A Pastor's Wife" serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact that violent crimes can have on families and communities. However, it also highlights the incredible resilience of those who work tirelessly to bring justice to victims and their loved ones, even in cases that seem impossible to solve. Fans of true crime and justice-seeking will find much to appreciate in this powerful episode of Cold Case Files Classic.