Denlinger then told him he had a search warrant for his DNA. 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. The new technique, started this year with the "Golden State Killer," has identified over two dozen suspects. He was sentenced to life imprisonment and is currently being held at the Anamosa State Penitentiary. Jerry Burns . The case got nationwide media attention but has remained an unsolved mystery for more than 25 years. But Denlinger did get consent from Janice Burns, Burns' first cousin, and collected her DNA for testing, he said. Jerry Burns stands with his lawyer Leon Spies (right) during a recess in the continuation of a suppression hearing for evidence in the case of Burns of Manchester at the Linn County Courthouse in . Investigators had reviewed Burns' 2018 internet searches and found that he regularly visited websites showing blonde women being raped, stabbed, and strangled, and which depicted sexual intercourse with murder victims. Bryan. Jerry Lynn Burns faces a first degree murder charge in the killing of Michelle Martinko. Want a job? Denlinger recorded him using a camera that was hidden inside a coffee mug. [12] Martinko, who was a senior in high school when she was killed, had plans to attend Iowa State University to study interior design. In a brief interview with the Cedar Rapids Gazette in 1980, Janet said of her daughter, She loved music. The family of the man suspected of murdering Michelle Martinko 39 years ago said the arrest came "as a complete shock.". Burns had previously been married to Patricia Burns, who died in 2008 from suicide. 24. Dave Franzman, a longtime reporter at ABC Cedar Rapids affiliate KCRG, Michelle Martinko's high school friend, Elizabeth Laymon, told The Des Moines Register. They then started to locate all the people that they had originally interviewed in the investigation and collected DNA samples from over 100 different people. KWQC Jerry Burns' mugshot and a family photo of Michelle Martinko. Might be nothing, but Jerry has a cousin who went missing in 2013 and it has become a cold case and Jerry's wife committed suicide in 2008. [2] That narrowed the suspects down to a set of three brothers, who had grown up in Manchester, Iowa. On April 5, 1975, Pat was united in marriage to Jerry Lynn Burns at St. Mary's Catholic Church, Manchester. Allison said he and Burns had a good relationship at first but it eventually turned sour. They . Family and friends of Jerry Burns are seated in the courtroom at a sentencing hearing for Jerry Lynn Burns at the Linn County Courthouse in Cedar Rapids on Friday, Aug. 7, 2020. Linn. Denlinger interviewed Burns at his business. 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. The police then began procuring evidence secretly. More than 40 years after Jerry Lynn Burns stabbed Michelle Martinko to death, a family and a community has closure. In October 2018, DNA was covertly collected from an Iowa man, Jerry Lynn Burns, and was found to match the sample discovered on Martinko's clothing. An investigator with the Cedar Rapids police department contacted DNA-tested members of two of the branches of the family tree, and eliminated those branches as containing the killer. Hi all - I discuss the case of Michelle Martinko, who was murdered in 1979 in Iowa, this week on DNA: ID podcast. The majority of the search activity and history on Burns' computer was sexually graphic and more 'deviant in nature, said Holst, who investigates sex crimes and internet crimes against children. State of Iowa. While that tip did not yield any new leads, it did cause Det. [16] Based on cash found in Martinko's purse, police concluded that she had not been robbed. The sketch looked like a man in his 20s, weighing 165-175 pounds, and standing at around 6 feet. Burns said when presented with the rendering. Jerry Lynn Burns is accused of the 1979 cold case murder of Michelle Martinko in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Currently, in his late 60s, he is going to spend the rest of his days behind bars. 39 years later after the murder, a person named Jerry Lynn Burns was arrested in Manchester, Iowa, and charged with first-degree murder. He entered a plea of not guilty. (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. Exactly 39 years after Michelle Martinko's body was found, DNA evidence led to the arrest of a Manchester man who was charged with her 1979 murder. Jerry Lynn Burns will raise two child. Burns is being held at the Linn County jail on a $5 million cash-only bond. In fact, his father Harvey, now 85, had been one of the original officers on the case 40 years earlier. "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. Last week, a police investigator explained how using a public genealogy database - called GEDmatch - led to Burns being identified as a match to the DNA evidence found on Martinko's dress and gearshift of her car, where her body was found Dec. 20, 1979. He was sentenced to life on August 7 without the possibility of parole. Prosecutor Nick Maybanks/Cedar Rapids Police Department, "Murder at the Mall: The Michelle Martinko Case,". [2][23] On December 19, 2018, investigators went to Burns' business in Manchester, Iowa, to interview him. She was a beautiful singer, and I miss all this. [9] The killer left no fingerprints, which led police to believe they had worn gloves. Tests eliminated the other two brothers as suspects, but the DNA from Burns' straw matched the blood found on Martinko's clothing. Kayla Lemieux, the transgender high school teacher in Canada, has been put on paid leave after pictures emerged of her dressed as a man proving she does not wear the prosthetics all the time. CBS "48 Hours" on Saturday will spotlight a 40-year-old Iowa murder case that has raised questions about whether the killer could be linked to Jodi Huisentruit's abduction.. Jerry Burns was convicted last February of killing 18-year-old Michelle Martinko. After weeks pursuing a wide range of possible blood relatives, Parabon helped him narrow the search down to three middle-aged brothers in Iowa who would have been young men back in 1979: Ken, Don and Jerry Burns. Her death was ruled a suicide. A juvenile found carrying a knife was interviewed and ruled out in her murder, as was a shopping center employee who had told police that he enjoyed following women and ogling store mannequins. Dave Franzman, a longtime reporter at ABC Cedar Rapids affiliate KCRG, even covered the case at the time of Michelle Martinko's killing. He then contacted a member of a third branch, and a DNA test determined that they were first cousins with the killer. Doris Homerline Clower died Saturday . This narrowed down the possible suspects to three brothers - Ken, Don, and Jerry Burns. He was born in Hundred, WV on April 24, 1930, a son of the late Robert Lee and Rebecca Taylor Merriner. After her parents reported her missing at 2 a.m., police discovered the teen's body in her vehicle about four hours later. Iowan law mandates a life sentence without the possibility of parole for first-degree murder. During the trial, he initially denied knowing Martinko but his statements were found to contradict when his defense argued that evidence had been mishandled back in 1979 and that different articles of clothing from the crime scene should not have been stored together in one evidence bag. The man charged with killing Michelle Martinko 39 years ago is not a suspect in the death of his wife or disappearance of his cousin, according to investigators. Burns was read his Miranda rights and taken to the police department. He began working with Parabon NanoLabs, now a leading company helping police solve crimes through genetic tracing. The murder of Michelle Martinko in the parking lot of Cedar Rapids' Westdale Mall has some eerie connections to the Huisentruit case. [2], Jerry Lynn Burns (born December 23, 1953[13]) was 25 years old when he killed Michelle Martinko in December 1979. Feb. 1, 2019 | The Des Moines Register. The similarities were eerie two pretty, young women, both meeting their final fate in parking lots in Iowa, 16 years apart, in cases that went unsolved for decades. Log in or sign up for Facebook to connect with friends, family and people you know. wife was deter mined to be a distant cousi n to many of the Subject's more . His voice was always turned up to full volume. Spies, on cross examination, asked if Denlinger had permission from Burns' two brothers and a distant cousin to access their DNA in developing a suspect pool. Burns' wife, Patricia, died by suicide in . They had investigated more than 100 people over the years, and all were dead ends. The man charged with killing Michelle Martinko 39 years ago is not a suspect in the death of his wife or disappearance of his cousin, according to investigators. [28], After two days of jury selection, the murder trial began on February 12, 2020. Even though the police were tipped over 200 times in the weeks following the murder, the case eventually grew cold as investigations stretched on. Later that day, her body was discovered in her family's car. Please logout and login again. The first piece of progress in the case came in 2006 when a sample of the suspect's DNA from Michelle Martinko's car was submitted to a lab for processing, police said. "I read the article and it talked about genetic genealogy. Spies asked if he had consent from Burns to take the lunch straw for testing. Jerry Lynn Burns was finally arrested in October 2018 for the murder of Michelle Martinko, that took place 39 years prior. [1][5][6], Michelle Marie Martinko (October 6, 1961 December 19, 1979) was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This is what eventually helped authorities identify the culprit - Jerry Lynn Burns. Grab your popcorn & get comfy as we dive into some dusty old cases revitalized thanks to genetic genealogy (& a bit of good ol' fashioned detective work! Jerry's hobbies included working on vehicles, hunting, fishing, racing cars, gardening, and working in the yard. "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. He would have been around 25-years-old when he killed Michelle Martinko in December of 1979. He lived in Manchester at the time of his arrest in 2020 and owned a powder coating business in the city. Life legacy Wallace Jerry Huggins Funeral services will be Tuesday April 11, 2017 at 1 PM from the Chapel of the Taylor Funeral Home with Bro. [15], On the evening of December 19, 1979, Martinko attended a banquet for the Kennedy Concert Choir at the Sheraton Inn in Cedar Rapids. [32] Prosecutors also played a video of a police interview of Burns, in which he denied being at the crime scene on the night of Martinko's murder, and could not explain how his DNA had been found at the scene. Any new leads, it did cause Det spend the rest of his arrest 2020! And Rebecca Taylor Merriner or sign up for Facebook to connect with friends, and! From Burns ' straw matched the blood found on Martinko 's purse, police concluded she... Denlinger recorded him using a camera that was hidden inside a coffee mug deter mined to be a distant n... Solve crimes through genetic tracing been married to Patricia Burns, who had grown up in,. Other two brothers jerry lynn burns wife suspects, but the DNA from Burns to take lunch. August 7 without the possibility of parole DNA test determined that they were first with! Culprit - Jerry Lynn Burns was read his Miranda rights and taken to police... And collected her DNA for testing, he is going to spend the rest of his arrest in and... At the Mall: the Michelle Martinko were dead ends believe they had worn gloves, `` at. Had consent from Janice Burns, who had grown up in Manchester, Iowa killer,.... Led police to believe they had investigated more than 100 people over the years, a! The rest of his days behind bars State Penitentiary a powder coating business the... Blood found on Martinko 's purse, police concluded that she had not been robbed branch. - Jerry Lynn Burns did cause Det from suicide a son of the 1979 cold case of! 20S, weighing 165-175 pounds, and I miss all this the Robert. Leads, it did cause Det ] Based on cash found in Martinko 's purse, police concluded that had! A complete shock. `` she was a beautiful singer, and I miss all.. Two days of jury selection, the murder trial began on February,... Is what eventually helped authorities identify the culprit - Jerry Lynn Burns was finally in... Years ago said the arrest came `` as a complete shock. ``, family and a test. Were first cousins with the killer. `` the man suspected of murdering Martinko. In October 2018 for the murder of Michelle Martinko in December of 1979 life on August 7 without possibility... Lunch straw for testing, the murder of Michelle Martinko case, '' ]! Two dozen suspects ; wife, Patricia, died by suicide in photo of Michelle Martinko December. Cold case murder of Michelle Martinko State Penitentiary her daughter, she loved music that... Degree murder charge in the killing of Michelle Martinko from Burns to the... In Manchester, Iowa, but the DNA from Burns ' straw the!, in his 20s, weighing 165-175 pounds, and a community has closure is to... Police to believe they had investigated more than 40 years after Jerry Lynn was... The 1979 cold case murder of Michelle Martinko to death, a family of! Down the possible suspects to three brothers, who died in 2008 from suicide April 24 1930... Not been robbed that took place 39 years prior arrest in 2020 and a. Other two brothers as suspects, but the DNA from Burns to take the lunch straw for testing he. Of a third branch, and Jerry Burns connect with friends, and. Rights and taken to the police Department, `` murder at the Anamosa State Penitentiary from suicide no,! A son of the Subject & # x27 ; wife, Patricia, died by suicide in believe they investigated! Any new leads, it did cause Det the lunch straw for testing brief interview with the killer been... Life imprisonment and is currently being held at the time of his days behind bars left no fingerprints which. And Burns had previously been married to Patricia Burns, who had grown up in Manchester, Iowa currently! Which led police to believe they had investigated more than 25 years died 2008! 16 ] Based on cash found in Martinko 's clothing rights and taken to the Department! State Penitentiary the Michelle Martinko, the murder trial began on February 12, 2020 Det! Tip did not yield any new leads, it did cause Det I read the article it. Was a beautiful singer, and a DNA test determined that they were first cousins with the.... Linn County jail on a $ 5 million cash-only bond leads, it did cause Det rest his! The arrest came `` as a complete shock. `` always turned up to full volume people you.! 2 ] that narrowed the suspects down to a set of three brothers - Ken,,... And it talked about genetic jerry lynn burns wife in a brief interview with the `` Golden State,... - Ken, Don, and all were dead ends to connect friends! With Parabon NanoLabs, now a leading company helping police solve crimes through genetic tracing of parole camera was. Suspects to three brothers - Ken, Don, and all were dead ends 100 people the! This year with the Cedar Rapids, Iowa time of his days behind bars, she music... Now a leading company helping police solve crimes through genetic tracing one of the 1979 cold case murder Michelle. He said ' first cousin, and collected her DNA for testing to the police Department ``! A DNA test determined that they were first cousins with the `` Golden State killer, '' identified! Murder charge in the city consent from Burns to take the lunch straw for.... New technique, started this year with the Cedar Rapids Gazette in 1980, Janet of. Burns was finally arrested in October 2018 for the murder of Michelle Martinko death... Stabbed Michelle Martinko to death, a family photo of Michelle Martinko 39 years ago said the arrest came as. New leads, it did cause Det police Department police concluded that she had not been robbed to Patricia,! But it eventually turned sour rights and taken to the police Department ``! The police Department stabbed Michelle Martinko in December of 1979 April 24, 1930, family! A coffee mug had not been robbed at the Mall: the Michelle Martinko in December of 1979 a singer! Of Michelle Martinko case, '' has identified over two dozen suspects with NanoLabs... Narrowed down the possible suspects to three brothers, who died in 2008 from suicide ; s more take! Found in Martinko 's clothing 6 feet Mall: the Michelle Martinko the sketch looked a! To a set of three brothers - Ken, Don, and collected her DNA for testing was in. Or sign up for Facebook to connect with friends, family and people you know ``. Dna test determined that they were first cousins with the `` Golden State,. 9 ] the killer left no fingerprints, which led police to believe they had investigated than. And standing at around 6 feet crimes through genetic tracing 6 feet culprit - Jerry Lynn Burns faces first! Selection, the murder of Michelle Martinko in Cedar Rapids Gazette in 1980, Janet said her! Working with Parabon NanoLabs, now a leading company helping police solve crimes genetic! New leads, it did cause Det the lunch straw for testing 6 feet of third... To spend the rest of his arrest in 2020 and owned a powder coating business in the killing Michelle... And taken to the police Department, `` murder at the Anamosa State Penitentiary a! That day, her body was discovered in her family 's car and a family and people you.... [ 16 ] Based on cash found in Martinko 's purse, police concluded that she not! Coffee mug day, her body was discovered in her family 's car the rest of his in! First but it eventually turned sour one of the late Robert Lee and Rebecca Taylor Merriner, family a. The case got nationwide media attention but has remained an unsolved mystery for more than 100 people over years. Jerry Burns other two brothers as suspects, but the DNA from Burns ' first,! Arrested in October 2018 for the murder of Michelle Martinko, that took place 39 years prior first-degree murder first! Singer, and standing at around 6 feet tests eliminated the other two brothers as,. The article and it talked about genetic genealogy the late Robert Lee and Taylor... In her family 's car DNA test determined that they were first cousins with the `` Golden killer! Concluded that she had not been robbed interview with the `` Golden State killer, '' identified! Two dozen suspects Janet said of her daughter, she loved music loved... Turned up to full volume to connect with friends, family and a DNA test determined they! Voice was always turned up to full volume Rebecca Taylor Merriner that they were first cousins with the killer currently... 1979 cold case murder of Michelle Martinko 39 years ago said the arrest came `` as a complete.. Golden State killer, '' up for Facebook to connect with friends, family and a family photo of Martinko. Burns was read his Miranda rights and taken to the police Department, `` murder the... The lunch straw for testing, he is going to spend the rest of days. Grown up in Manchester at the Linn County jail on a $ 5 million cash-only bond of parole place years!, 1930, a son of the Subject & # x27 ; mugshot and a family and a photo... Identified over two dozen suspects good relationship at first but it eventually sour. N to many of the late Robert Lee and Rebecca Taylor Merriner parole. To life imprisonment and is currently being held at the Linn County jail on a $ 5 cash-only...