The holiday season evokes feelings of warmth, joy, and anticipation. But for the Martinko family, December brings a chilling reminder of a Christmas season forever scarred by tragedy. Our story takes us back to December 20th, 1979, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. While festive cheer filled the air, a sense of dread crept into the heart of the community. Eighteen-year-old Michelle Martinko, a vibrant young woman full of life, was found lifeless in her family’s Buick, parked eerily in the lot of the bustling Westdale Mall.
A Shocking Discovery in the Holiday Rush
“It was a time of year when our town wasn’t used to such darkness,” recounts a former Cedar Rapids resident. The peace was shattered. Michelle was found slumped over the passenger seat, a victim of a brutal attack. “She had been stabbed over 20 times,” a forensic expert revealed, “many of the wounds concentrated around her face.”
The news ripped through the community, leaving an indelible mark. John Martinko, Michelle’s brother, vividly remembers that harrowing call. “My mother, her voice choked with despair, told us. It was unthinkable, unimaginable – our Michelle, stabbed to death while Christmas shopping?”
A Cold Case Heats Up: The Quest for Answers
The initial investigation, though thorough, was hampered by the limited forensic technology of the time. “It wasn’t the stone ages,” a retired detective clarifies, “but we were limited. We scoured the scene, interviewed Michelle’s friends, followed every lead, but to no avail.”
Years turned into decades, and the case grew cold. The Martinko family’s hope for justice waned with each passing season. Then, a glimmer of hope emerged in 2006 when the case was reopened. A blood sample, previously overlooked, was entered into CODIS, the national DNA database. Sadly, it yielded no match.
A new development arose in 2018, breathing life back into the investigation. DNA phenotyping, a technology that paints a picture of a person’s physical appearance using their genetic blueprint, led to a new composite image of the potential killer.
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Genetic Genealogy: A Game Changer
Enter Investigator Matt Denlinger, who turned to a revolutionary tool – GEDmatch, an open-source DNA database. “We had a long shot,” Denlinger recalls, “but we had to try. By tracing distant relatives of the unknown DNA found at the crime scene, we hoped to find a common ancestor and narrow down potential suspects.”
The breakthrough came in the form of a second cousin match, leading them to Jerry Lynn Burns. A seemingly ordinary man with a virtually clean record, Burns became the prime suspect. His DNA, obtained from a carelessly discarded straw, matched the blood found on Michelle’s dress. After 39 years, a name had a face.
A Confrontation, a Confession, and a Conviction
Denlinger, with his partner, decided to confront Burns at his workplace. The interview was carefully orchestrated, catching Burns off guard. “We didn’t want to give him time to fabricate a story,” Denlinger explains.
The interview revealed a man taken aback, struggling to explain his connection to a crime almost four decades old. When confronted with the DNA evidence, Burns’s composure faltered. “Test the DNA, Jerry. Test the DNA,” he muttered repeatedly.
“He never outright denied killing Michelle,” Denlinger observes, “which I found incredibly strange. It was as if he knew we had him.”
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Burns’s trial began in February 2020. The prosecution presented a strong case, built on the irrefutable DNA evidence and Burns’s peculiar responses during the interrogation. The defense, however, argued that the DNA evidence was circumstantial and lacked any other physical evidence linking Burns to the crime.
But the prosecution had one more card to play – Michael Allison, Burns’s cellmate, took the stand. He testified that Burns had admitted to the crime, saying, “They might have me, son, but I don’t have to bow my head to them.” He even shared a chilling anecdote about Burns saying, “If you keep beating me at pinochle, I’m going to have to take you to the mall,” a remark that sent chills down the spines of those present.
Justice Served, but Questions Remain
After careful deliberation, the jury reached a verdict – guilty. The courtroom, filled with the Martinko family, law enforcement, and those who had followed the case for years, erupted in a mix of tears and relief.
“That sigh of relief,” Denlinger recalls, “was for every officer, every investigator, everyone who refused to give up on Michelle.”
At Burns’s sentencing, the Martinko family finally had their chance to address the man who had ripped their family apart. “He stole 39 years,” John Martinko lamented, “but he couldn’t steal her memory.”
Jerry Lynn Burns was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of Michelle Martinko. Though the verdict brought closure to a decades-long search for justice, the question of “why” continues to haunt those forever marked by this tragedy.
The case of Michelle Martinko serves as a stark reminder of the enduring power of DNA technology. It stands as a testament to the dedication of law enforcement and the unwavering hope of a family who refused to let the memory of their beloved Michelle fade away.