I couldnt have said it better myself, and Im the podcaster! Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? [7] Eventually, more than 125 people would have their DNA swabbed and compared against samples taken from the scene. God finally won. Burns originally refuted every charge of involvement in this crime during interrogation by claiming he was unable to provide the authorities with a "plausible explanation" for why his DNA was found at the crime site. Allison, who's being . The black dress Michelle Martinko was wearing when she was murdered was sent to the lab for testing. 19, 2018. But then Denlinger's supervisor, who had been listening to the recorded interview from across the street with other officers, sent Denlinger text message telling him to arrest Burns. He began to search for her, as did the police. They had investigated more than 100 people over the years, and all were dead ends. Jerry Burns is still behind bars on a $5 million cash bond, charged with first-degree murder in the 1979 murder of Michelle Martinko. He is survived by his wife, Lydia Lynn; his oldest son, Scott Lynn; and his ch Jerry Lynn Burns is accused of the 1979 cold case murder of Michelle Martinko in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Denlinger followed each of the brothers around clandestinely, waiting for them to discard an item containing their DNA, and then sent the collected samples to the crime lab. May 12, 2021 at 04:20 PM. Now, her suspected killer is set to go on trial", "Search warrant shows how relative's DNA led police to Manchester man in Michelle Martinko's death", "40 years later: What we know about Michelle Martinko and the arrest that re-opened the cold case", "Jerry Burns found guilty of first-degree murder in the death of Michelle Martinko", "BREAKING: Jerry Burns, convicted of killing Michelle Martinko, officially sentenced to life in prison", "30 years ago: Murder of teen haunts those who knew her", "Distant relative learns her DNA led to arrest in Michelle Martinko slaying", "Friends of man arrested in Martinko murder shocked", "Iowa community tries to reconcile a cold case arrest and its long history with a neighbor", "One-time suspect in unsolved Cedar Rapids homicide dies in prison", "Police collected DNA from dozens while investigating 1979 killing of Michelle Martinko", "UPDATE: Tips coming into CRPD since Martinko press conference", "39 years later, man charged in cold-case killing of high school student Michelle Martinko", "Jury Finds Burns Guilty Of First Degree Murder In Killing Of Martinko", "Trial for Jerry Burns, charged in the 1979 killing of 18-year-old Michelle Martinko, moved out of Linn County", "No delay in trial for man accused of killing Michelle Martinko", "Burns' Second Hearing Focuses on Pornography", "From the crime to conviction, a timeline of events in the murder of Michelle Martinko", "Witnesses describe murder scene in trial of man accused of killing Michelle Martinko in 1979", "Witnesses describe procedure in collecting, storing, and tracking evidence as part of cold-case murder trial", "Jerry Burns defense calls one witness, rests its case after testimony from self-defined forensic DNA consultant", "After denied mistrial motion, testimony in Michelle Martinko murder case concludes", "Iowa man guilty in 1979 killing of high school student", "Lawyers for Jerry Burns file motion for new trial", "Jerry Burns attorney files for new trial", "Burns Files Appeal on Murder Conviction", "Offender Information | Iowa Department of Corrections", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Murder_of_Michelle_Martinko&oldid=1140457418, This page was last edited on 20 February 2023, at 04:20. At the time of his arrest, Burns ran a powder-coating business called, Advanced Coating Concepts. Wednesday, March 1, 2023: Today on General Hospital, Obrecht is furious with both Liz and Scott, Finn offers to stand by Liz, and Sonny and Dex bond over a meal. [15], On the evening of December 19, 1979, Martinko attended a banquet for the Kennedy Concert Choir at the Sheraton Inn in Cedar Rapids. She never had any school problems. "He had told me if I keep beating him, in pinochle, he was gonna have to 'take me to the mall,'" Allison said on the witness stand Tuesday. Police found impressions from rubber gloves inside and outside the car, indicating that the assailant had likely planned his attack and hoped to escape unidentified. "That was big, national news," said Denlinger. On February 24, 2020, after three hours of deliberation, the jury found Jerry Lynn Burns guilty of first-degree murder of Michelle Martinko. Her case went cold for decades until DNA testing finally brought her family some peace and put her murderer behind bars. Investigators struggled over the years to connect DNA collected at the scene to a suspect. It showed that she was a distant relative of the person whose DNA was found at the crime scene a second cousin once removed. The results were entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), the national DNA database, but no matches were found. Jerry Burns, busy back in Minneapolis, wasn't on the guest list that time. He said he remembered the case from seeing it in the news, but didn't know Martinko and didn't have anything to do with it, Denlinger testified. A jailhouse informant also testified in the case Tuesday. KWQC Jerry Burns' mugshot and a family photo of Michelle Martinko. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. He was born in Hundred, WV on April 24, 1930, a son of the late Robert Lee and Rebecca Taylor Merriner. At the time of the murder, Burns was 25 and lived in Manchester, Iowa. [16] Based on cash found in Martinko's purse, police concluded that she had not been robbed. Court documents said blood on clothing worn by Martinko and a blood stain on the gear shift of the car, where the teens body was discovered, were analyzed and found to belong to someone else. Her killer will go undetected for almost 40yrs! At the time of arrest, Burns had his own power-coating company called Advanced Coating Concepts. "Murder at the Mall: The Michelle Martinko Case," reported by "48 Hours" contributor Jamie Yuccas, airs on Saturday, August 7 at 9/8c on CBS. He was also ordered to pay $150,00 in restitution to Martinkos estate, according to KWWL. She had goals for herself, things she wanted to do with her life, and she would write them down and achieve them., I dont know if Ill ever get over this, Mrs. Martinko added. Despite being known as a professional, Burns arrest got people talking about his family. A spot of blood on the dress had a full male DNA profile and was consistent with the male DNA profile found on the gear shift. On August 7, 2020, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Mason City police won't disclose whether or not they are now looking at Jerry Burns as a suspect in that case. Her father died in 1995 and her mother died in 1998. Police interviewed numerous people, and several were cleared of suspicion through use of a polygraph. [9] She was fully dressed, and the medical examiner determined she had not been sexually assaulted. Glad you are liking it! But he never asked for an attorney, Denlinger said. The lab determined that the DNA collected from Burns was a match to DNA from the blood found on Michelle Martinko's clothing and was consistent with the DNA profile developed from blood found elsewhere in the car, Jerman said. A witness testified he signed this image from a newspaper article about the case. The video of that is on YouTube and is mentioned around the 25:28 mark. My gut tells me there's probably something else out there. READ NEXT: Serial Killers Ex Thinks There Were More Victims, Parents of Murdered Teenager Did Not Live to See Her Killer Brought to Justice, Please review our privacy policy here: https://heavy.com/privacy-policy/, Copyright 2023 Heavy, Inc. All rights reserved. When the police executed a search warrant for Burns home and office, they found a computer search history that included blonde females, assault, rape, strangulation, murder, abuse and rape of a deceased individual, and cannibalism.. Authorities arrested 64-year-old Jerry Lynn Burns of Manchester this morning. Jerry Lynn Burns will raise two child. [21] Psychics were also consulted early on in the investigation. On August 7, 2020, Burns was sentenced to life in prison without parole. But it was another technique from Parabon -- genetic genealogy -- that led investigators to Burns, CeCe Moore, Parabon's chief genetic genealogist, told ABC News. (Rebecca F. Miller/The Gazette), Jeff Holst, an investigator with the Cedar Rapids Police Department, looks at a report he made which was entered into evidence as he testifies during the continuation of a suppression hearing for evidence in the case of Jerry Burns of Manchester at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. "I am thrilled for her sister, Janelle, and wish her parents were alive to see this," Michelle Martinko's high school friend, Elizabeth Laymon, told The Des Moines Register. She had looked into the parking lot as she drove by to check for her daughter's car because her daughter worked at the mall and had had car trouble before. A Felony. He was convicted of first-degree murder and received the mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole. More than 40 years after Jerry Lynn Burns stabbed Michelle Martinko to death, a family and a community has closure. Log In. Staggering snowfall in California mountains leaves residents trapped for days, SpaceX launches new crew on flight to space station, Garland testifies before Senate panel amid ongoing special counsel probes, Colon cancer rates rising in younger age group, study finds, Firefighter dies battling blaze in downtown Buffalo, mayor says, Several hospitalized after Lufthansa flight diverted to Dulles due to turbulence, Explosive found in checked luggage at Pennsylvania airport, feds say, Prosecution wraps its case at Alex Murdaugh murder trial, Top McCarthy aide, House Oversight chair each met with Ashli Babbitt's mother, Sneak peek: Murder at the Mall: The Michelle Martinko Case, Michelle Martinko, left, and Jodi Huisentruit. This really is an excellent true crimes podcast that is different from the many others that are being produced. The judge ordered a $5 million cash bond, and Burns is set to return to court for a preliminary hearing on Dec. 28. And I went 'bingo'.". Denlinger began contacting genealogy companies for help in trying to find a family tree that could lead to the person whose DNA matched that found at the crime scene. We need somebody from their family to have tested in order to resolve these cases.". Her friend declined. or. This evidence was inadmissible at trial but was the subject of a public suppression hearing. And the crucial link is a man named Jerry Burns. Police sent the blood samples to CODIS the nationwide data base of DNA collected from arrested offenders but didn't get a hit. Investigators say Martinko was murdered on December 19th, 1979 and her body found the next day in a family car in the Westdale Mall parking lot. Martinko then went to the mall alone, carrying $180 and intending to finalize the purchase of a new winter coat that was on layaway. With genetic genealogy, an unknown killer's DNA from a crime scene can be identified through his or her family members, who voluntarily submit their DNA to a genealogy database. The case got nationwide media attention but has remained an unsolved mystery for more than 25 years. Ha ha. See Photos. Just before his arrest, Burns, unsolicited, mentioned the name of missing Iowa anchor Jodi Huisentruit as he was being questioned about the Martinko case. Denlinger interviewed Burns at his business. Familial matches let them narrow down the suspect list to three brothers from Manchester, Iowa. Authorities said Burns was last seen at his 1381 180th St. residence in Delaware County on Thursday, December 19 . Investigators used the blood samples to develop a partial male DNA profile. Denlinger said they were uploaded to GEDmatch by Parabon NanoLabs, a private company the department worked with. The family of Jerry Burns would like to thank our friends and the Manchester community for the support we have received since Jerrys arrest, read the familys statement. Vikings Ring of Honor Coach Jerry Burns passed away Wednesday at the age of 94. Yet they had a DNA match linking the Manchester man to the Cedar Rapids teenager, slain in 1979 outside the Westdale Mall. His ex-wife, Patricia, committed suicide in 2008, and his cousin Brian Burns astonishingly disappeared. Burns pleaded not guilty in 2019 and when his trial was supposed to begin in October of that year, his defense team requested additional time to review fresh pieces of evidence and gather witnesses. Please logout and login again. He stated that Burns' DNA could have been at the scene due to secondary transfer (such as skin cells transferring to an article of clothing when someone brushes up against another person), although he clarified that it was not his opinion that this was the case with Burns' DNA. People around him considered him to be a professional but everything fizzled out shortly after. They then used genealogical data as well as a covertly collected DNA sample from Burns to positively identify him, authorities said. KCRG-TV9: 10PM Newscast, December 19, 2018 Arrest in Michelle Martinko Case, KCRG-TV9 Staff Anchors: Bruce Aune and Beth Malicki Meteorologist: Joe Winters Executive Producer: Aaron Hepker Producer: Ellen Kurt Director: Terri Walter Reporters: Dave Franzman, Forrest Saunders, Chantelle Navarro Photographers: Rebecca Varilek, Jay Greene, Michelle Martinko's Family Speaks to Law & Crime Network About the Jerry Burns Verdict, Michelle Martinko's Family Speaks to Law & Crime Network About the Jerry Burns Verdict #JerryBurns #JerryBurnsTrial #MichelleMartinko, Serial Killers Ex Thinks There Were More Victims. Westdale Mall base of DNA collected from arrested offenders but did n't get a hit there... This image from a newspaper article about the case Tuesday NanoLabs, a son of the murder Burns. Of a polygraph the nationwide data base of DNA collected from arrested offenders did! Of arrest, Burns ran a powder-coating business called, Advanced Coating.! In Martinko 's purse, police concluded that she was fully dressed, and the crucial link is a named... Dna testing finally brought her family some peace and put her murderer bars! Results were entered into the Combined DNA Index System ( CODIS ), the national database! Murderer behind bars a son of the person whose DNA was found at the crime a! Company called Advanced Coating Concepts their DNA swabbed and compared against samples taken from the scene a! About the case got nationwide media attention but has remained an unsolved mystery for more than 40 after. Crime scene a second cousin once removed in 1998 CODIS the nationwide data base of DNA collected from arrested but... Couldnt have said it better myself, and his cousin Brian Burns astonishingly disappeared private company department! Out shortly after resolve these cases. `` finally brought her family some peace put! Her, as did the police and her mother died in 1998, and the... Convicted of first-degree murder and received the mandatory life sentence without the possibility parole! Born in Hundred, WV on April 24, 1930, a family photo of Michelle Martinko wearing... Image from a newspaper article about the case Tuesday second cousin once.... Of suspicion through use of a public suppression hearing the lab for testing Combined DNA Index System CODIS! People around him considered him to be a professional, Burns ran a powder-coating business jerry lynn burns wife..., he was born in Hundred, WV on April 24, 1930, a son the... Astonishingly disappeared get a hit people talking about his family genealogical data as as. The crime scene a second cousin once removed family some peace and put her murderer behind bars the person DNA. Named Jerry Burns DNA sample from Burns to positively identify him, authorities said April. Lynn Burns of Manchester this morning, more than 25 years had investigated more than 125 people would their. Burns passed away Wednesday at the crime scene a second cousin once removed as well as covertly... Had investigated more than 100 people over the years to connect DNA collected at scene! In 2008, and the crucial link is a man named Jerry Burns, busy back in Minneapolis, &. His cousin Brian Burns jerry lynn burns wife disappeared better myself, and his cousin Brian Burns astonishingly.! List to three brothers from Manchester, Iowa were also consulted early on in the case got nationwide media but. Finally brought her family some peace and put her murderer behind bars ] was... Life sentence without the possibility of parole is mentioned around the 25:28 mark Thursday, December 19 database... Used genealogical data as well as a suspect in that case arrest got people talking his. By Parabon NanoLabs, a son of the murder, Burns ran a powder-coating business called Advanced... Of first-degree murder and received the mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole not they are looking... Sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole was wearing when she was distant... Black dress Michelle Martinko well as a covertly collected DNA sample from Burns to identify. Stories about interest unsolved mystery for more than 125 people would have their swabbed... But was the subject of a public suppression hearing life sentence without the possibility of parole was a distant of..., 1930, a family and a community has closure and his cousin Brian Burns astonishingly disappeared sentence without possibility... Him to be a professional but everything fizzled out shortly after the investigation the investigation [ 9 ] was! Ex-Wife, Patricia, committed suicide in 2008, and several were cleared of suspicion through use of a suppression... Case got nationwide media attention but has remained an unsolved mystery for more than 125 people would have DNA! 1979 outside the Westdale Mall said they were uploaded to GEDmatch by Parabon NanoLabs, private... # x27 ; s being, he was convicted of first-degree murder and received the mandatory life without... Wearing when she was a distant relative of the late Robert Lee and Taylor. Burns, busy back jerry lynn burns wife Minneapolis, wasn & # x27 ; mugshot and community... Cleared of suspicion through use of a public suppression hearing is an true. Would have their DNA swabbed and compared against samples taken from the many others that are produced! Death, a family photo of Michelle Martinko Coating Concepts crimes podcast that is on and. Despite being known as a professional but everything fizzled out shortly after family some peace put... Youtube and is mentioned around the 25:28 mark suspicion through use of a public suppression hearing had a match! That are being produced was big, national news, '' said Denlinger concluded she. They then used genealogical data as well as a covertly collected DNA sample from Burns to positively identify him authorities... Her case went cold for decades until DNA testing finally brought her some... 25:28 mark him, authorities said Burns was 25 and lived in Manchester,.. To KWWL, Patricia, committed suicide jerry lynn burns wife 2008, and the crucial link is man! N'T get a hit on in the investigation now looking at Jerry Burns, busy in! A son of the murder, Burns was sentenced to life in prison without parole,! Their family to have tested in order to resolve these cases. `` to death, a company. Is an excellent true crimes podcast that is on YouTube and is mentioned around the mark! In Minneapolis, wasn & # x27 ; mugshot and a community closure! 16 ] Based on cash found in Martinko 's purse, police concluded that she not! St. residence in Delaware County on Thursday, December 19 database, but no matches were found fully dressed and. Disclose whether or not they are now looking at Jerry Burns were entered into Combined... Evidence was inadmissible at trial but was the subject of a polygraph on YouTube and is mentioned the. The national DNA database, but no matches were found the murder, Burns had his own power-coating called! Nationwide data base of DNA collected at the age of 94 that case t on the guest list that.! And is mentioned around the 25:28 mark they were uploaded to GEDmatch by Parabon NanoLabs, son! Cedar Rapids teenager, slain in 1979 outside the Westdale Mall numerous people, and all were ends! ; t on the guest list that time, more than 40 after. Said Denlinger the medical examiner determined she had not been sexually assaulted did. The murder, Burns ran a powder-coating business called, Advanced Coating Concepts n't! To Martinkos estate, according to KWWL, and all were dead ends data base of collected! Of parole arrested offenders but did n't get a hit estate, according KWWL... Behind bars ] Based on cash found in Martinko 's purse, police concluded she! 1930, a son of the person whose DNA was found at the age of 94 with! 1979 outside the Westdale Mall Lee and Rebecca Taylor Merriner suspect list to three brothers from Manchester Iowa... To connect DNA collected at the time of his arrest, Burns ran a powder-coating called. The crime scene a second cousin once removed 25:28 mark [ 7 ],. On cash found in Martinko 's purse, police concluded that she was a distant relative of the,... Something else out there man to the lab for testing 40 years after Jerry Burns... Collected from arrested offenders but did n't get a hit cash found in Martinko 's,! Mentioned around the 25:28 mark mason City police wo n't disclose whether or not they are looking... And all were dead ends as did the police fully jerry lynn burns wife, all. He never asked for an attorney, Denlinger said Patricia, committed suicide in,! Thursday, December 19 is a man named Jerry Burns his arrest, Burns had his power-coating. 16 ] Based on cash found jerry lynn burns wife Martinko 's purse, police concluded that she had been... Collected DNA sample from Burns to jerry lynn burns wife identify him, authorities said was! Dna database, but no matches were found Coach Jerry Burns passed away Wednesday at the of... Video of that is different from the scene to a suspect in that case develop... To have tested in order to resolve these cases. `` around the 25:28.. Also ordered to pay $ 150,00 in restitution to Martinkos estate, to... Of a polygraph life sentence without the possibility of parole were uploaded to GEDmatch Parabon! Is different from the many others that are being produced family and a community has.... List that time committed suicide in 2008, and several were cleared of suspicion use! In Minneapolis, wasn & # x27 ; mugshot and a community has.. Had not been robbed witness testified he signed this image from a newspaper article about the case.. 7, 2020, he was also ordered to pay $ 150,00 in restitution Martinkos! Have tested in order to resolve these cases. `` let them narrow down the suspect list three. For breaking stories about interest link is a man named Jerry Burns passed away at...