Ep 17. The Lost Soul of Herman Lester

The Lost Soul of Herman Lester is the seventeenth episode of the first season of the American police procedural drama series Cold Case. In this episode, the story revolves around a couple, Chris and Alison, who have been living in the house once owned by a troubled boy named Herman Lester, who disappeared without a trace many years ago.

The episode begins in 1972, where a young Herman is seen playing in his backyard as his mother watches from inside the house. Later that night, Herman's mother discovers that he has gone missing. The police are called, but they are unable to find any trace of the boy. In 2004, the house is now owned by Chris and Alison, who start hearing strange noises coming from the basement and discover that Herman's belongings are still there. They decide to call the police, and the case is assigned to detective Lilly Rush and her team.

As they begin to investigate, they find out that Herman had a troubled childhood which involved physical and emotional abuse from his father. They later learn that Herman was taken in by a foster family, but he never adjusted to his new life and ran away. Despite extensive search efforts, Herman was never found again.

As the team digs deeper, they discover that Herman had a best friend, named Wilson, who was the last person to see him. Wilson was also abused by his father and believes that Herman was taken by his father and killed. However, he never said anything to the police because he didn't want his own father to be implicated in the crime.

Meanwhile, Lilly comes across a former detective who was assigned to the case back in 1972. He reveals that he always suspected Herman's father, but he never had enough evidence to make an arrest. The team also discovers that Herman's father died a few years ago, which rules him out as a suspect.

As the investigation continues, a new lead emerges when the team discovers a man who claims to be Herman Lester. The man insists that he was taken by his father and kept in isolation for many years, which explains why no one was able to find him. However, the team is not convinced about his story, and they begin to suspect that he is a fraud.

As Lilly and her team try to put the pieces together, they face several challenges and dead ends. However, with persistence and hard work, they finally come up with a breakthrough. In a dramatic finale, they discover the truth about what happened to Herman Lester and finally bring closure to his family and friends.

The Lost Soul of Herman Lester is a gripping and emotional episode that combines a compelling mystery with heart-wrenching human drama. As Lilly and her team race against time to solve the case, viewers are taken on a journey that explores themes of loss, grief, and redemption. With powerful performances, well-crafted storytelling, and stunning visuals, this episode of Cold Case is a must-watch for fans of the show and anyone who loves a good mystery.