Ep 13. A Touching Recollection

In the episode "A Touching Recollection" of Forensic Files season 7, viewers are taken on a journey to uncover the truth behind the tragic and mysterious death of Marybeth Tinning's nine children. Marybeth Tinning, a loving mother from Schenectady, New York, had already suffered through the loss of her first child, Jennifer, who died unexpectedly at just eight days old. Marybeth, still mourning the loss of her daughter, was determined to have a large family and, with the support of her husband Joseph Tinning, she went on to have eight more children.

However, over a period of seven years, Marybeth's children kept dying under mysterious circumstances. One by one, the Tinning's babies were found unresponsive and were rushed to the hospital where they were pronounced dead. The doctors who examined the children were puzzled by the cause of death, but never suspected foul play.

It wasn't until the Tinning's ninth child, Tami Lynne, died in 1985, that the suspicions of friends and family members were finally raised. One relative noticed that Marybeth's behavior was unusual following Tami's death. Marybeth didn't seem to be grieving and even threw out Tami's belongings. This strange behavior caught the attention of the police, who began to investigate the deaths of all nine children.

The police decided to exhume all of the children's bodies and conduct autopsies. The autopsies revealed that the cause of death for all nine children was asphyxia, caused by smothering, suffocation, or some other obstruction of their airways. Marybeth Tinning was eventually charged with the murder of her youngest daughter Tami Lynne, and, later, with eight counts of second-degree murder for the deaths of her other children.

Marybeth Tinning was found guilty of murder and sentenced to 20 years to life for each of the nine murders. She has since been denied parole multiple times and remains in prison.

Throughout the episode, viewers are taken through the police investigation, the court proceedings, and the forensic evidence that ultimately led to Marybeth's conviction. The show features interviews with detectives, experts, and family members who were involved in the case, and offers a deep dive into the psychology of a mother who could kill her own children.

"A Touching Recollection" is a gripping and emotional episode that explores the horrific crimes committed by Marybeth Tinning and the lengths that law enforcement and forensic experts went to in order to bring her to justice. The mystery surrounding the deaths of the Tinning children is finally solved through thorough investigation, forensic science, and a determination to uncover the truth. True crime buffs and fans of Forensic Files will find this episode both fascinating and chilling.