DNA: ID

Author: AbJack Entertainment

We all hear stories almost daily now about cold cases being solved by investigative genetic genealogy. This new crime-solving tool answers the "who" question about these often decades-old crimes... but what about the why? This podcast will look at crimes solved by genetic genealogy, and examine the connection - if any - between the victim and the killer, and why the crime occurred. Each case is unique, and has its own story behind the headline. Join us for DNA: ID. New episodes will come out every other week on Mondays.
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Language: en

Genres: Society & Culture, True Crime

Contact email: Get it

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DNA ID Replay; The case of Lee Rotatori
Monday, 15 December, 2025

Episode 169 DNA ID Replay; The case of Lee Rotatori While Jess is on winter break preparing new episodes of DNA ID for 2026, we are airing some of our favorite one part episodes weekly in what we call 'DNA ID Replay' episodes. These Replay episodes will air every week while on break with the exception of Christmas week. In this replay episode, we explore the case of Lee Rotatori which originally aired in episode 70. In June 1982, Lee Rotatori was excited for the new job that meant a move to Council Bluffs, Iowa. But when Lee was found murdered in the Best Western there, police were stumped. The only clue was floral foam on the floor, and there were no suspects. Lee knew only a few people in town, and her husband was over 600 miles away when she was raped and stabbed in Room 106. Her case went cold. When forensic genealogy pointed to a man named Thomas Freeman as her killer, it just added to the mystery. Freeman had been murdered within weeks of Lee, and his killer was unknown. And, he had no connection whatsoever to Council Bluffs, or Lee. But he did have a connection to Carbondale, IL, where he lived 15 miles from Lee's husband Jerry Nemke – who had a history of his own. To listen to every episode of DNA: ID ad-free and get other benefits, simply visit our channel page on Apple Podcasts to get started with an AbJack Insider subscription. Of course, you can also support DNA: ID with a Patreon subscription. Follow us on social media; find all of our social media links in one spot at our Linktree: linktr.ee/dnaidpodcast