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"48 Hours" investigates connection between three 2014 murders in Austin

March 15, 2019 / 02:27

This episode covers the murder of Kathy Blair, the investigation led by detectives Andrea Austin, Carrie Scanland, and Derek Israel, and the connection to the Shelton murders.

Kathy Blair, a choir director in Austin, Texas, was murdered in her home on December 6, 2014. Prosecutor Andrea Austin discusses the personal impact of the case, highlighting the fear many women feel about home intrusions.

Detectives Carrie Scanland and Derek Israel describe the similarities between Kathy's murder and the subsequent killings of Billy and Sydney Shelton, who were also found dead in their home. Both cases left investigators puzzled as the victims had no known enemies.

Rob Leaf, a neighbor, played a crucial role in the investigation by using a thermoscope to capture video footage of the murderer approaching Kathy's home, providing key evidence.

The episode emphasizes the chilling nature of these crimes and the community's need for answers in the face of such violence.

TLDR

Kathy Blair's murder leads detectives to suspect a serial killer after another couple is found dead in similar circumstances.

Episode

2:27
00:00:05
I could sort of relate to Kathy Blair and just thinking about what that would be like as a woman to be home alone for
00:00:11
prosecutor Andrea Austin this case was personal that is the Boogeyman story for every woman right an intruder is in your
00:00:19
house someone is stabbing you 53-year-old Kathy Blair was a beloved choir director in Austin Texas
00:00:30
[Music] music needed to be in our lives or we would die Kristen deg grou was one of
00:00:37
hundreds of students Kathy inspired she was so kind this is a case that sticks with you throughout your life a crime
00:00:46
that made no sense to detectives Carrie scanland and Derek Israel it was the dead of night December 6th
00:00:54
2014 this martyr started right here on the bed Kathy woke to a total strange anger with a knife Kathy Blair fought
00:01:02
like hell who kills a choir director who does that a monster the killer took some
00:01:08
inexpensive jewelry but left no DNA then just N9 days later I get notified that there's been another
00:01:16
murder Billy and Sydney Shelton married 64 years and devoted to their family slaughtered in their beds I was seeing
00:01:26
some of the same things the crime scene the innocence of the victims were all eerily similar to Kathy Blair's the
00:01:33
Shelton Kathy Blair none of these people had any enemies that we could figure out
00:01:37
they all upstanding people it had these detectives Whispering the unimaginable I
00:01:43
thought we were dealing with a serial killer if word gets out that there's a serial killer it kicks it to an entirely
00:01:49
different level Austin needed answers it came in a form not even the savviest cops could
00:01:56
predict I was out testing a thermoscope Rob Leaf lived a few blocks from Kathy the night she was murdered Rob was out
00:02:04
trying a scope like this one picks up a heat signature I saw the headlights of a
00:02:08
car coming up on this street on this street this is the video Rob recorded this video showed the murderer walking
00:02:17
towards Kathy bl's house the actual killer the actual killer

Badges

This episode stands out for the following:

  • 80
    Most heartbreaking
  • 75
    Most surprising
  • 70
    Most shocking
  • 70
    Best visuals

Episode Highlights

  • Kathy Blair's Tragic Story
    Kathy Blair, a beloved choir director, was brutally murdered in her home.
    “Who kills a choir director?”
    @ 01m 02s
    March 15, 2019
  • The Search for a Serial Killer
    Detectives feared they were dealing with a serial killer after multiple similar murders.
    “I thought we were dealing with a serial killer.”
    @ 01m 40s
    March 15, 2019
  • Rob Leaf's Key Evidence
    Rob Leaf recorded video evidence of the murderer approaching Kathy's house.
    “This video showed the murderer walking towards Kathy Blair's house.”
    @ 02m 14s
    March 15, 2019

Episode Quotes

  • This is a case that sticks with you throughout your life.
    "48 Hours" investigates connection between three 2014 murders in Austin
  • Who kills a choir director?
    "48 Hours" investigates connection between three 2014 murders in Austin
  • Austin needed answers.
    "48 Hours" investigates connection between three 2014 murders in Austin

Key Moments

  • Kathy Blair00:23
  • Music's Importance00:32
  • Night of the Murder00:51
  • Serial Killer Fear01:40
  • Key Evidence02:14

Words per Minute Over Time

Vibes Breakdown