Cold Case Solved: Minnesota Murder Mystery Cracked After 30 Years

The brutal murder of Jeanie Childs in 1993 haunted investigators for nearly three decades. The case, initially cold, saw a breakthrough with the discovery of new DNA evidence, linking a suspect to the crime scene. The presence of bloody bare footprints further solidified the evidence. "That drew my attention right away," stated Bart Epstein, a retired forensic scientist, referring to the footprints. The DNA matched Jerry Westrom, and investigators were able to obtain a DNA sample from him. Forensic scientist Andrea Feia confirmed the match, finding Westrom's DNA on the comforter and towel. While some questions remain, the case's resolution after so many years provides a sense of closure for Jeanie Childs' mother, Betty Eakman, who stated, "I knew that God was going to make sure that I was going to know what happened." This case exemplifies the persistence of law enforcement and the evolving power of forensic science in solving cold cases.