ABC’s 20/20, co-anchored by David Muir, presents a new episode on Friday, March 7 (9:01-11:00 p.m. EST), detailing the murders of two young women, Cathy Swartz and Catherine Edwards, and how cutting-edge DNA technology finally brought their killers to justice after decades. The episode, “The Code Breakers,” also streams the next day on Hulu.
Here’s the Lowdown: In 1988, 19-year-old Cathy Swartz was murdered in Michigan, leaving behind a bloody fingerprint and DNA evidence. Despite years of investigation, the case went cold. A few years later, 31-year-old Catherine Edwards was found murdered in Texas, with DNA evidence also failing to produce a match in national databases. Both cases remained unsolved for over thirty years.
What This Means Now: The breakthrough came when law enforcement in both cases independently sought help from Othram, a private forensic lab near Houston. Othram specializes in using advanced DNA technology to solve cold cases, including current high-profile cases, such as Gilgo Beach.
The Bigger Picture: This 20/20 episode features exclusive interviews from north of Houston, Texas, including Othram’s owners, David and Kristin Mittelman, along with individuals connected to both cases: Courteney Swartz (Cathy’s daughter), a friend of Cathy Swartz, a senior writer from Texas Monthly, and investigators. It demonstrates how modern forensic science is now resolving long-unsolved crimes, providing answers and closure for victims’ families. The episode airs on ABC on Friday, March 7, at 9:01 p.m EST.
