Ep 88. Soft Touch

In Forensic Files season 1 episode 88, titled "Soft Touch," viewers are taken on a journey through the investigation into the murder of a woman named Tammy Surber. Tammy, a 23-year-old nurse, was found dead in her apartment after failing to show up for work at the hospital. It was quickly determined that she had been strangled to death, and the investigation began.

Right away, investigators were struck by how little evidence there was at the crime scene. Tammy's apartment appeared to have been cleaned thoroughly before anyone arrived, and there were no signs of forced entry. The only clue they found was an unidentified fingerprint on a light switch.

The investigation continued for several months with no leads. Then, a series of burglaries in the area caught investigators' attention. A man named David Wayne Harker was arrested for committing these burglaries and upon questioning, he told police that he had information about Tammy's murder.

Harker claimed that another man named David Vernot had killed Tammy. Vernot was a friend of Tammy's and was known to have been at her apartment the night before she was discovered dead. Police brought Vernot in for questioning and upon examining his car, found evidence that linked him to the crime.

As it turned out, Vernot and Tammy had been having an affair, and their relationship had been rocky for some time. Vernot had visited Tammy the night before her murder and they had argued. In a fit of rage, Vernot had strangled Tammy to death.

Despite the lack of physical evidence at the crime scene, investigators were able to piece together a timeline of events and connect the dots that led them to Vernot. Through interviews with friends and family members, they were able to determine motive and opportunity, and ultimately bring Tammy's killer to justice.

"Soft Touch" is a gripping episode of Forensic Files that showcases the tireless work of investigators in the face of difficult circumstances. Despite the lack of physical evidence, they were able to build a case through witness testimony and smarts. Viewers will be captivated by the twists and turns of the investigation and will be left feeling a sense of closure knowing that Tammy's murderer was brought to justice.