Ep 24. Mommy's Rules

In this riveting episode of Cold Case Files season 2, viewers are taken on a journey through the investigation of a murder that occurred nearly a decade earlier. The episode, entitled "Mommy's Rules," centers around the brutal killing of a 31-year-old woman named Billie Jean Hayworth and her boyfriend, Billy Payne Jr., who were shot in their home in Janesville, Tennessee.

At the time of the murder, Hayworth and Payne were the parents of a six-month-old son, who was found unharmed in his crib by a family member who came to check on the couple after they had failed to show up for work. The case immediately baffled investigators, as there was no obvious motive for the crime, no signs of forced entry, and no valuable items missing from the house.

The episode follows the tireless efforts of detectives Andy Correll and Ken Laster, who worked on the case for years with limited resources at their disposal. They interviewed countless witnesses and suspects, chased down leads, and hunted for any scrap of evidence that might bring them closer to the killer.

As the investigation continued, a stunning piece of evidence emerged - a mysterious note found at the scene of the crime that appeared to lay out "rules" for Hayworth and Payne to follow. The note, which was scrawled in pencil on a scrap of paper, included messages such as "I warned you not to mistreat my grandbaby," and "I hope you both have learned a lesson."

This note became a key piece of evidence in the case, as detectives sought to figure out who could have written it and why. They investigated a variety of leads, including potential suspects with connections to the couple's past, but struggled to make much headway.

One of the most fascinating aspects of this episode is the way it raises questions about the role of social media in contemporary criminal investigations. At one point, detectives discovered that the mother of one of the victims had a Facebook page on which she had posted messages that seemed to implicate her in the crime. They considered the possibility that she had written the note found at the scene, but ultimately could not find enough evidence to prove it.

Throughout the episode, viewers see the toll that the case takes on the detectives working on it, as well as the family members of the victims who are desperate for justice to be served. There are moments of frustration and heartbreak, as leads turn out to be dead ends and suspects slip through the cracks.

Despite these challenges, however, the detectives remain determined to solve the case. They use cutting-edge forensic techniques, such as DNA analysis and gunshot residue tests, to try and piece together what happened on the night of the murder. They interview witnesses and suspects multiple times, looking for any inconsistencies or gaps in their stories that might reveal the truth.

In the end, "Mommy's Rules" is a gripping and thought-provoking episode that sheds light on the complexities of homicide investigations and the dedication of the law enforcement officials who work tirelessly to bring killers to justice.