Ep 32. Too Fat to Kill?

In Dateline season 18 episode 32 titled "Too Fat to Kill?", viewers are taken on an investigation into the death of Tracy Gilpin, a 15-year-old girl who went missing after attending a party in 1986. Her body was found a week later in a nearby wooded area in Kingston, Massachusetts. The case went cold for over 30 years until a breakthrough in DNA technology brought attention to the case once again.

The episode begins with interviews with Tracy's family and friends, who share their memories of her and the impact her death had on their lives. Detective Fred Gomi, who worked on the case for years, also appears in the episode to provide context and insight into the investigation.

The focus of the investigation shifts to Michael Hand, who was a person of interest in the case from the beginning. Hand was a known drug dealer and criminal in the area at the time and had been seen with Tracy at the party she attended the night she disappeared. He was questioned by police but released due to a lack of evidence.

The episode then delves into Hand's past and criminal history, which includes a connection to the infamous Winter Hill Gang led by Whitey Bulger. The interviewees discuss the possibility that Hand may have had assistance from the gang in committing the murder.

As the investigation progresses, the focus turns to Hand's current whereabouts and physical state. The title of the episode comes from a statement made by Hand's lawyer, who argues that Hand is "too fat to kill" and therefore couldn't have committed the murder due to physical limitations. The episode includes footage of Hand in court and interviews with his lawyer to provide context for this argument.

The episode concludes with the results of the investigation and the arrest of Michael Hand for Tracy's murder. Viewers witness the outcome of the trial and the impact it has on Tracy's family and friends. The episode provides a sense of closure for the case after over three decades of uncertainty and grief.

Overall, "Too Fat to Kill?" is a gripping and emotional episode of Dateline that explores the intricacies of an unsolved murder case and the impact it has on the people involved. It highlights the important role that technology and persistence play when it comes to solving crimes that may have gone cold for years.