Ep 3. Shopping Spree Murder
- July 23, 2010
- 41 min
The episode "Shopping Spree Murder" is the third of the seventh season of Forensic Factor, a true crime documentary series that examines high-profile murder cases and how forensic science played a role in solving them.
In this episode, viewers are taken to a busy Toronto shopping mall where a woman is found dead in her car. The victim, 42-year-old Kathy Chalmers, was a successful businesswoman who had been shopping for Christmas presents on the day of her murder.
The investigation into Chalmers' murder begins with the discovery of her body, which was found slumped over in the front seat of her car. The initial autopsy reveals that she died from a gunshot wound to the head. Detectives work quickly to gather evidence from the scene, including fingerprints, tire tracks, and video footage from the mall's security cameras.
One key piece of evidence is a spent shell casing found inside the car, which is traced back to a specific type of handgun. Detectives interview store owners and employees in the mall, hoping to find someone who may have witnessed the shooting or seen the perpetrator fleeing the scene.
As the investigation continues, detectives begin to focus on Chalmers' personal life, interviewing her friends and family members to see if anyone had a motive to harm her. They soon discover that Chalmers was involved in a bitter divorce and custody battle with her ex-husband, who had a history of violence against her.
However, the investigation takes a surprising turn when detectives receive a call from an informant who has information about the case. The informant tells them that a man named Jimmy Singleton, who had a criminal record and a reputation for violence, was responsible for the murder.
Detectives are able to track down Singleton and bring him in for questioning. He denies having any involvement in the murder, but detectives are able to match his shoe prints to the ones found at the scene of the crime. They also find gunshot residue on his hands, indicating that he had fired a gun recently.
The nail in the coffin comes when Singleton's girlfriend agrees to testify against him. She tells detectives that Singleton had confessed to the murder and had even shown her the gun he used to commit the crime. Singleton is arrested and charged with first-degree murder.
"Shopping Spree Murder" is a gripping episode of Forensic Factor that highlights how forensic science can be used to solve even the most complex of murder cases. Through meticulous investigative work and the use of cutting-edge technology, detectives were able to identify and apprehend the perpetrator, bringing justice to Chalmers' family and friends.