DeepSummary
The episode details the 1981 rape and murder of Linda Slaten in Lakeland, Florida, and the subsequent decades-long investigation to identify her killer. Linda's 15-year-old son Jeff and 12-year-old son Tim woke up to find police in their home, having discovered Linda's body earlier that morning by her sister Judy. Detectives found crucial evidence like a palm print and DNA sample, but struggled to find a match for nearly 40 years.
In 2018, advanced DNA testing using genetic genealogy connected the evidence to Joseph Mills, who had been an assistant football coach for Tim's team and had dropped him off at home the night of the murder. Mills was arrested in 2019 and claimed the sex was consensual, but overwhelming evidence pointed to rape and murder. He was ultimately sentenced to life in prison in 2022.
The episode explores the emotional impact on Jeff and Tim, who spent decades haunted by their mother's brutal death and not knowing her killer. It also highlights the dedication of detectives like Brad Grice who worked tirelessly on the case for years, as well as evidence collector Edgar Pickett whose palm print proved key after nearly 40 years.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- The brutal 1981 rape and murder of Linda Slaten in Florida devastated her young sons Jeff and Tim and launched a decades-long investigation.
- Critical DNA evidence collected at the 1981 crime scene went unmatched for nearly 40 years until advanced genetic genealogy led to the identification of the killer.
- The killer was shockingly revealed to be Joseph Mills, an assistant football coach close to the family who had given Tim a ride home the night of the murder.
- Despite his 2022 conviction, Jeff and Tim Slaten continue to grapple with trauma from witnessing the aftermath of their mother's murder as children.
- The case highlights the dedication of detectives who worked for years pursuing leads as well as the foresight of those who preserved the DNA evidence that eventually cracked the case.
- The murder stole Jeff and Tim's childhood, forcing them to grow up abruptly while living in fear of the unidentified killer for nearly 40 years.
- While relieved by Mills' conviction, Jeff and Tim can never achieve full closure, having been permanently deprived of their loving mother.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “The day he murdered my mum, he murdered my childhood. It was the last day me and my brother were kids.“ by Jeff Slaten
- “I don't know if there's anything such as closure, but it has been easier knowing he's locked up.“ by Jeff Slaten
- “It's not over in the sense 'cause he's still walking and my mum's not.“ by Tim Slaten
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Episode Information
Casefile True Crime
Casefile Presents
3/23/24
Jeff and Tim Slaten woke on the morning of Friday, September 4 1981, to find their home teeming with police. Their mother, Linda, had been raped and murdered during the night. Neither brother heard a thing, and despite the killer having left pivotal evidence behind, it quickly became clear that this wasn’t an open-and-shut case.
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Narration – Anonymous Host
Research & writing – Milly Raso
Creative direction – Milly Raso
Production and music – Mike Migas
Music – Andrew D.B. Joslyn
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