Ep 21. Broken Promises

In season 1 episode 21 of Forensic Files, titled "Broken Promises," viewers are taken on a journey of deceit, greed, and murder. The episode follows the case of a loving mother and wife, Patricia Margello, who disappeared without a trace from her home in Pennsylvania in 1993.

The investigation into Patricia's disappearance was started by her husband, Frank Margello, who claimed to have come home from work one day to find his wife missing. However, the police soon found out that things were not as they seemed. It was discovered that Frank was having an affair with a woman named Ellen Gregory, who was also married.

Ellen Gregory became the prime suspect in the case, as she had motive to get rid of Patricia so that she could be with Frank. It was found that Ellen had been in contact with Frank the day his wife had disappeared, and she had made several trips to Pennsylvania from her home in Connecticut around the time of Patricia's disappearance.

The police also found out that Ellen had purchased a large amount of cleaning supplies shortly after Patricia's disappearance, which raised several red flags. It was believed that Ellen had helped Frank dispose of his wife's body and clean up the crime scene.

However, the case hit a roadblock when no physical evidence was found to link Ellen or Frank to the crime. The police had to rely on circumstantial evidence and witness statements, as well as forensic evidence, to build their case.

One of the key pieces of forensic evidence in the case was a speck of blood found on a piece of carpet in Frank and Patricia's home. The blood was determined to be consistent with Patricia's DNA, which suggested that she had been injured or killed in the house.

Another significant piece of evidence was the analysis of soil samples taken from Frank's truck, which linked the vehicle to the spot where Patricia's body was eventually found in the woods.

The forensic evidence, combined with witness statements and circumstantial evidence, was enough to convict Ellen Gregory of conspiracy to commit murder and hindering prosecution. She was sentenced to 5-10 years in prison.

Frank Margello was also tried for his wife's murder, but the jury was unable to reach a verdict and a mistrial was declared. However, he later pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 5-10 years in prison.

Overall, "Broken Promises" is a gripping and emotional episode that showcases the power of forensic science in solving crimes and bringing criminals to justice. The case highlights the devastating consequences of greed and betrayal, and serves as a reminder that the truth will ultimately come to light, no matter how hard someone tries to bury it.