Ep 12. Killer Snapshot

Forensic Files II season 1 episode 12, "Killer Snapshot," explores the case of a woman named Kristen Modafferi, who disappeared without a trace on June 23, 1997. Kristen was a 19-year-old student at North Carolina State University, who had decided to move to San Francisco for the summer, hoping to find work and broaden her horizons. But just weeks into her stay, she vanished.

The San Francisco Police Department launched a search for Kristen, but despite extensive efforts, they were unable to find any leads on her whereabouts. Her parents, Bob and Debbie, were devastated and refused to give up hope, mounting their own investigation and communicating with law enforcement as often as possible in search of information. But for years, the case remained a mystery.

It wasn't until 2010 that Kristen's case was reopened, after an anonymous tipster called the police to say that they knew who the killer was. They suggested the name of a man named Robert Durst, who was the subject of a documentary called The Jinx: The Life and Deaths of Robert Durst. Robert was a wealthy real estate heir and had been suspected of killing his wife and two other people, but had managed to elude prosecution for years.

The police decided to investigate the tip, and soon discovered that Robert had indeed been living in San Francisco during the same time that Kristen had disappeared. Furthermore, they found that he had a photo machine in his home at the time, which was similar to the one used in Kristen's last known photograph. They obtained a warrant to search his apartment and found incriminating evidence, including a list of places to get rid of a body, bags of human remains, and a journal with a cryptic entry related to Kristen's disappearance.

The discovery of this evidence led to Robert's arrest on March 14, 2015, in connection with Kristen's death. The trial that followed was one of the most high-profile cases in San Francisco history, with the prosecution presenting extensive forensic evidence, including hair and DNA samples. They argued that Robert had lured Kristen to his apartment, killed her, and then disposed of her body.

Ultimately, the jury found Robert guilty of first-degree murder, and he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The verdict was seen as a major victory for Kristen's family, who had pursued justice for 18 years. It was also a testament to the power of forensic evidence, which had played a key role in finally solving the case.

"Killer Snapshot" is an intense, suspenseful episode of Forensic Files II that highlights the importance of perseverance and scientific investigation in solving even the most perplexing and long-standing cases. Viewers will be left on the edge of their seats as they follow this gripping story from start to finish, discovering along the way the critical role that forensics played in bringing the killer to justice. It is a testament to the skill and dedication of the police, investigators, and forensic experts who worked tirelessly to make sure that Kristen's killer was brought to justice, as well as to the importance of never giving up hope, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles.