Newsflash #2

AISOCC member Joseph Giacalone commented on the 1998 cold case of Teresa Burleson, and her children Chelsi and Schyler.

From NewsOK: “Burleson and her two children died in a house fire in Oklahoma City shortly before 6 a.m. on Mother’s Day in 1998. When firefighters arrived, the structure was engulfed in heavy flames and thick smoke. Firefighters found the three bodies in the living room of the home at 4709 S Santa Fe Ave. Burleson was 28, Chelsi was 9, and Shyler was 7.

Fire investigators initially said they were “98 percent sure” the fire wasn’t deliberately set. Five years later, fire investigators reached the conclusion that arson was to blame, saying there was no other plausible explanation. Oklahoma City police didn’t take over the investigation until last year.

Giacalone said that more than a decade passed before police took over the investigation means investigators don’t have access to the same evidence they would have for a more recent homicide. The family has offered a $20,000 reward in 2002 for information about the fire. When no one came forward, the family increased the reward to $30,000 in 2003 and to $35,000 in 2004. But those rewards haven’t gotten the family any closer to an answer.”

Joe is always willing to answer questions related to cold cases. You can contact him here.

Another AISOCC member, Laura Pettler, spoke about the case of Susan and Sarah Wolfe. She believes that whoever was responsible for their slaying was after “control, greed and power.”

From Triblive: “Police suspect Susan Wolfe, a teacher’s aide, died first. They found her body naked and doused with bleach. Her sister, a psychiatrist, was fully clothed nearby with her coat half-removed. Pettler said the use of bleach could indicate the suspect knows his DNA is part of a national database, and wanted to remove any trace of it from the scene. Police have collected items for possible DNA testing, but have not shared details.”

Definitely a case to watch closely.

Last, the Society’s newsletter is out and can be found here. Turn to page 35 to see which cases have been reviewed so far.

Newsflash #1

Welcome to a new feature on our Society’s blog: newsflash. In these newsflash posts, I will post short updates and links to what is happening around us, in the news, and more.

One of Pete Klismet’s new projects is preventing school shootings. information about this and his team can be found here.

Trib Live posted an article about Cyril Wecht and his role in the Society. “The famed Pittsburgh forensic pathologist, who has investigated suspicious and controversial deaths from John F. Kennedy to JonBenet Ramsey, has a lot on his plate. But the opportunity to work with other great forensic minds at the American Investigative Society of Cold Cases was too great to pass up.

“I’m delighted to be involved with this. It’s a contribution that I feel I can make to the overall field of forensic science, not that I need the additional work,” said Wecht, 82, the former Allegheny County coroner from Squirrel Hill. “It’s something I can be enthusiastic about, and working with distinguished colleagues always makes it very meaningful,” he said.”

B.J. Spamer joined the Society as Consulting Member. She works tirelessly to help and support the missing and unidentified.

Jason W. Brooks VMD, PhD, Diplomate ACVP has also joined as Consulting Member. His blog is here.

For a full overview of our Consulting Members, please click here.

In the next few weeks, I will be posting interviews with our Board Members.