Ep 4. For Love or Money?

For Love or Money? is an episode of the crime-documentary series Cold Justice, which airs on Oxygen channel. In this episode, the team led by former prosecutor Kelly Siegler travel to Quitman, Texas to investigate the 2001 death of 21-year-old Stacie Smith.

Stacie's death had initially been ruled a suicide by the local authorities, but her family has always believed that foul play was involved. She was found dead in her bathtub with a gunshot wound to her head. The gun was found next to her body, but many aspects of the crime scene and the subsequent investigation were questionable.

The Cold Justice team arrives in Quitman to re-examine the case and conduct interviews with witnesses who were never questioned by the police back in 2001. They also use advanced forensic techniques to review the evidence and determine if there is any new information that can help solve the case.

The team discovers that Stacie had been involved in a complex love triangle with two men, each of whom had a strong motive to harm her. One of them was her former boyfriend, who was deeply in debt and had been asking her for money. The other was a wealthy businessman who had promised to financially support Stacie in exchange for her companionship.

As the investigation progresses, the Cold Justice team uncovers a web of lies, betrayal, and deceit that had been hidden for years. They also discover that the local authorities had not thoroughly investigated some key pieces of evidence that could have led to a different conclusion about Stacie's death.

Through interviews with Stacie's friends and family members, the team reconstructs her final days and learns about her dreams, fears, and aspirations. They also delve into the lives of the two men at the center of the love triangle, revealing a pattern of abuse, manipulation, and violence.

With the help of forensic specialists, the team examines the DNA evidence found at the crime scene and tries to determine if it matches any of the suspects. They also use ballistics analysis and other techniques to establish the trajectory of the bullet that killed Stacie and the position of the gun.

As the episode reaches its conclusion, the team presents its findings to the local authorities and the Smith family. They provide a compelling argument that Stacie's death was not a suicide but a homicide, and that the two men in her life had a hand in it. The team delivers the evidence to the local prosecutor's office, hoping that justice will finally be served.

For Love or Money? is a gripping episode of Cold Justice that offers a fascinating glimpse into the intricacies of forensic investigation. The team's determination, expertise, and empathy shine through as they seek to bring closure to a case that has haunted a community for two decades. The episode is a powerful reminder of the importance of seeking justice for victims and their families, no matter how long it takes or how difficult the journey may be.