Ep 5. Last Dance

Forensic Files II is a true crime television show that uses forensic evidence and expert testimonies to solve criminal cases. In season 3, episode 5, titled Last Dance, viewers are taken on a journey through the investigation of the mysterious disappearance of a young woman named Donna Willard.

Donna Willard was a 25-year-old woman who loved to dance and had a promising career as an x-ray technician. She was engaged to be married to her fiancé, Robert. On the night of December 21st, 1985, Donna went out dancing with her friends at a local bar. She had a great time, and eventually left the bar with a man named Michael Johnson. Her friends never saw her again.

The investigation into Donna's disappearance was complicated by the fact that the case had gone cold for many years before new evidence came to light. However, forensic experts were able to use the small amount of evidence they had to determine what had likely happened to Donna on the night she disappeared.

The episode begins with archival footage from the 1980s of Donna's family members and friends describing what they remember about the night she went missing. Throughout the episode, viewers are introduced to the different pieces of evidence that the investigators worked with to try to solve the case.

One of the key pieces of evidence was a bloodstained coat that was found near the location where Donna was last seen alive. Forensic experts were able to analyze the blood and determine that it belonged to Donna.

Another crucial piece of evidence was a small butt plug found in the coat pocket of the man last seen with Donna before her disappearance. DNA analysis was performed on the plug, and it was determined to have traces of both Donna's DNA and the DNA of Michael Johnson.

Michael Johnson was questioned by police shortly after Donna's disappearance, but he denied any involvement and was never charged with a crime. However, decades later, investigators were able to locate Johnson and bring him in for an interview. By this time, forensic technology had advanced significantly, and investigators had new evidence to present to Johnson.

The episode concludes with the investigators laying out the evidence they had gathered over the years and asking Johnson what had happened to Donna that night. He initially denied any involvement, but eventually confessed to killing Donna and dumping her body in the woods.

Overall, Last Dance is a fascinating episode of Forensic Files II that showcases the power of forensic science in solving cold cases. The investigators in this case worked tirelessly for decades to bring Donna's killer to justice, and their dedication ultimately paid off in the end. Viewers who enjoy true crime stories and forensic science will find this episode to be particularly interesting and engaging.