CBS’s 48 Hours has a knack for unearthing compelling true crime stories, and this Saturday’s episode, “The Footprint,” looks to be no exception. Correspondent Erin Moriarty tackles a chilling cold case: the 1993 murder of Jeanie Childs in Minneapolis. What sets this case apart? A rather unusual and unsettling clue: bloody bare footprints found at the scene. The detail is significant – investigators knew the prints belonged to the killer because the victim was wearing socks.
The initial investigation, however, hit a dead end. No DNA match. No usable fingerprints. The case languished, unsolved, for years. “The Footprint” traces the twists and turns of the renewed investigation, highlighting how, against the odds, those seemingly useless footprints ultimately became the key to cracking the case.
Moriarty interviews Jeanie Childs’ mother and sister, a heartbreaking look into the enduring pain of their loss and their long wait for justice. Retired forensic scientist Bart Epstein and retired FBI agent Chris Boeckers offer expert perspective on the initial roadblocks in the investigation, while forensic scientists Mark Ulrick and Andrea Feia explain the science behind the eventual breakthrough. Legal consultant Julie Rendelman weighs in on the legalities of bringing a killer to justice after so many years. Senior investigative reporter Jennifer Mayerle also contributes.
“The Footprint” airs Saturday, May 17th at 10:00 PM ET/PT on CBS. At 9:00 PM ET/PT, immediately preceding the new episode, CBS will air an encore presentation of “Fatal First Date,” also reported by Erin Moriarty.
