Ep 17. A Face And A Voice

On The Case With Paula Zahn is a crime documentary show that features real-life cases as experienced by the victims and the detectives who solved them. Each episode focuses on a different case, often including interviews with those involved in the investigation and reconstruction of events leading to the resolution of the case. Season 17, episode 17, titled A Face And A Voice, follows the investigation of a murder case that shocked a small town in Iowa in 2012.

The episode begins with the discovery of a body in a cornfield in Marshalltown, Iowa. The victim is identified as Marilyn Schmitt, a 68-year-old grandmother who lived in nearby Conrad. The police immediately begin their investigation, but the killer leaves no clues. The community is left in shock, and people begin to fear for their safety. Marilyn's family and friends are devastated by the sudden and brutal loss of a loved one, and they demand answers.

The police follow every lead and interrogate everyone who had contact with Marilyn in the days leading up to her murder. They soon learn that Marilyn had been receiving threatening phone calls from an unknown person. The caller had been targeting Marilyn for weeks, leaving her terrified and unsure of how to protect herself. The police begin to suspect that the caller is the same person who killed Marilyn. But they need to find out who this person is if they want to get justice for Marilyn.

The investigation takes a complicated turn when the police discover that Marilyn was involved in a romantic relationship with a married man. This man becomes the primary suspect, but he denies any involvement in Marilyn's death. The police continue to search for evidence, but they hit a dead end.

The case goes cold for several months until a break in the investigation comes from an unlikely source - a psychic. The psychic tells the police that Marilyn's killer is someone she knew, and that he has a distinctive birthmark on his neck. The police are skeptical, but the information proves to be accurate, leading them to a suspect with a birthmark on his neck who had a connection to Marilyn.

The suspect is interrogated by the police, but he maintains his innocence. However, the police have strong evidence linking him to Marilyn's murder, including phone records, DNA evidence, and eyewitness testimony. Finally, the suspect confesses to the crime, revealing the chilling details of how he had been stalking and terrorizing Marilyn for weeks before killing her.

The episode concludes with Marilyn's family and friends coming together to memorialize her and to find closure after her tragic death. Although the case had taken several months to solve, justice was ultimately served for Marilyn and her loved ones.

In conclusion, On The Case With Paula Zahn season 17 episode 17, A Face And A Voice, is a riveting and emotional documentary of a murder investigation that kept the small town of Marshalltown, Iowa, on edge for several months. The episode showcases the tireless work of law enforcement officials who remained dedicated to catching Marilyn's killer, as well as the courage and strength of Marilyn's family and friends as they cope with their loss. The episode is a must-watch for true crime fans who enjoy stories of perseverance and justice.