Ep 6. The Devil in Disguise
- September 24, 2021
The episode "The Devil in Disguise" from season 10 of Cold Case Files focuses on the case of Joanne Brown, a 43-year-old woman who was brutally murdered in her own home in 1983. At the time, there were no suspects, and the case went cold for decades.
In 2001, a new detective in the homicide unit reopened the case and began to investigate. He discovered that Joanne had been active in her community, volunteering at her local church and participating in several charitable organizations. She had also been a dedicated mother to her three children.
As the detective delved deeper into the case, he uncovered several potential suspects, including Joanne's ex-husband and several men she had befriended through her charitable work. However, all of the leads seemed to point in different directions, and the case remained unsolved for several more years.
Finally, in 2010, a break in the case came when a former neighbor of Joanne's came forward with new information. The neighbor described seeing a strange man around the time of the murder, and provided a composite sketch of the suspect.
With the new lead, the detective was able to identify the suspect as a man named James Mitchell, a convicted rapist who had been living in the area at the time of Joanne's murder. Mitchell had a long history of violence against women, and had been released from prison just weeks before Joanne's murder.
Further investigation revealed that Mitchell had been living just a few blocks from Joanne's home at the time of the murder, and had a history of breaking into women's homes. He had also been seen in the area around the time of the murder, and had a history of using the same type of knife that was used to kill Joanne.
Despite the overwhelming evidence against him, Mitchell refused to confess to the crime. However, a jury found him guilty of murder in 2012, and he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
"The Devil in Disguise" is a gripping episode of Cold Case Files that highlights the tireless work of detectives and the perseverance of victims' families. It also serves as a cautionary tale, reminding viewers of the importance of remaining vigilant and aware of their surroundings.
