This episode contains descriptions of violence.

Listener discretion is advised.

I expected to be married for 50 years or more.

I expected to take care of my husband his late years.

In fact, that's what you do when you take wedding vows.

For better or for worse, for which you're poor,

and sickness and health, still death do you part.

Well, his death happened.

I didn't know what to do.

Different people came on the case, different people left.

You're just numb.

You're just numb.

I didn't really think it'd ever be solved.

There are 120,000 unsolved murders in America.

Each one is a cold case.

Only 1% are ever solved.

This is one of those rare stories.

Music is one of those rare stories. It's an early winter's morning at 3.18 a.m. on February 16th, 1987.

The residents of Everett, Washington, are fast asleep. Temperatures hover in the 40s.

Few would notice a hint of smoke in the otherwise clear sky. In these early morning hours, a police officer on routine patrol in Everett

observes a glow in the area of Everett Community College. He looks on as he sees flames

at 40 feet high emanating from the campus.

...