On December 20th, 1979, the festive spirit of the holiday season was shattered in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Eighteen-year-old Michelle Martinko was found brutally murdered in her family’s Buick, parked in the lot of the bustling Westdale Mall. This gruesome discovery shook the community, leaving them grappling with fear and unanswered questions for decades to come.
Michelle Martinko, an 18-year-old who was tragically murdered in 1979.
The scene was horrific. Michelle had suffered multiple stab wounds, primarily concentrated around her face and upper body. Despite the presence of smeared glove prints on the steering wheel, gear shift, and lights, her purse and shopping bags remained untouched, ruling out robbery as a motive. The lack of blood outside the vehicle indicated a contained attack, suggesting a personal motive rather than a random act of violence.
Investigators examining the crime scene where Michelle Martinko was found murdered in her car.
Years turned into decades as the case grew cold. Despite numerous leads and tireless efforts from law enforcement, Michelle’s killer remained elusive. The initial investigation in 1979 and a subsequent reinvestigation in the mid-1980s by the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation failed to yield any concrete answers. However, the investigators never gave up. They meticulously preserved the evidence, hoping that one day, technological advancements would aid them in their pursuit of justice.
A glimmer of hope emerged in 2006 when a cold case investigator decided to revisit the evidence. They submitted a blood sample found at the crime scene to the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), a national DNA database. Unfortunately, the initial search did not produce a match. However, the investigators refused to be disheartened.
In a groundbreaking move, the investigators turned to DNA phenotyping, a technique that uses genetic information to predict a person’s physical appearance. This technology allowed them to create a composite image of the potential suspect, breathing new life into the investigation.
A composite image of the suspect, generated using DNA phenotyping technology.
The turning point came with the advent of genetic genealogy, a revolutionary tool that compares DNA profiles from crime scenes to those uploaded to public genealogy databases. Investigator Matt Denlinger, spearheading the case, utilized GEDmatch, an open-source genealogy platform, to search for potential relatives of the suspect.
To their astonishment, they found a match. A second cousin once removed of the DNA profile found on Michelle’s dress was identified, leading them to a suspect – Jerry Lynn Burns. Armed with this crucial piece of evidence, Denlinger and his team set out to confront Burns, hoping to get some answers.
In a calculated move, they surprised Burns at his workplace, catching him off guard. During the interrogation, Burns appeared surprisingly calm, denying any involvement in the crime. He even agreed to provide a DNA sample, seemingly confident that it wouldn’t link him to the murder.
Investigator Matt Denlinger interviewing Jerry Lynn Burns, the prime suspect in the Michelle Martinko murder case.
However, Burns’ facade of innocence crumbled when Denlinger revealed that they had already obtained his DNA from a discarded straw, and it matched the blood found at the crime scene. Despite the overwhelming evidence, Burns maintained his innocence, offering a series of weak denials and evasive answers.
In 2020, after nearly 40 years of uncertainty, Jerry Lynn Burns stood trial for the first-degree murder of Michelle Martinko. The prosecution presented a compelling case, relying heavily on the DNA evidence and Burns’ suspicious behavior during the interrogation.
Despite the lack of eyewitnesses, murder weapon, and a clear motive, the prosecution had one more ace up their sleeve – Michael Allison, an inmate who had shared a cell with Burns. Allison testified that Burns had made incriminating statements about the case, including a chilling remark about taking someone “to the mall.”
After days of intense proceedings and hours of deliberation, the jury reached a verdict. Jerry Lynn Burns was found guilty of first-degree murder, finally bringing a sense of closure to Michelle’s family and the community.
Jerry Lynn Burns in the courtroom during his trial for the murder of Michelle Martinko.
Although Burns continued to maintain his innocence, the overwhelming DNA evidence and the jury’s verdict painted a different picture. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, marking the end of a long and painful chapter in Cedar Rapids’ history.
The case of Michelle Martinko serves as a stark reminder of the enduring power of DNA technology in solving even the most complex cold cases. The tireless efforts of law enforcement, the advancements in forensic science, and the courage of those who came forward with information, all played a pivotal role in bringing a murderer to justice after decades of evasion.
