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

March 15, 2019 / 02:27

This episode covers the murder case of Kathy Blair, the investigation led by prosecutor Andrea Austin, and the subsequent murders of Billy and Sydney Shelton. Key discussions include the emotional impact on the victims' families, the detective work by Carrie Scanland and Derek Israel, and the unexpected evidence found by Rob Leaf.

Kathy Blair, a choir director in Austin, Texas, was murdered in her home on December 6, 2014. Prosecutor Andrea Austin describes the case as personal, highlighting the fear many women feel about home intrusions. Blair's murder shocked the community, as she was well-loved and had no known enemies.

Detectives Carrie Scanland and Derek Israel were baffled by the crime, noting the innocence of the victims and the lack of DNA evidence. Just nine days after Blair's murder, the Shelton couple was also found dead in their home, prompting fears of a serial killer in the area.

The investigation took a turn when Rob Leaf, a neighbor, used a thermoscope to capture video evidence of the murderer approaching Blair's house. This unexpected breakthrough provided crucial information for the detectives.

The episode highlights the emotional toll on the community and the relentless pursuit of justice by law enforcement.

TLDR

The episode discusses the murders of Kathy Blair and the Shelton couple, focusing on the investigation and emotional impact on the community.

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 shocking
  • 75
    Most heartbreaking
  • 75
    Most surprising
  • 70
    Most emotional

Episode Highlights

  • The Murder of Kathy Blair
    Kathy Blair, a beloved choir director, was brutally murdered in her home.
    “Who kills a choir director?”
    @ 01m 02s
    March 15, 2019
  • A Pattern Emerges
    Detectives discover eerie similarities between Kathy's murder and another couple's.
    “The innocence of the victims were all eerily similar to Kathy Blair's.”
    @ 01m 28s
    March 15, 2019

Episode Quotes

  • Who kills a choir director?
    "48 Hours" investigates connection between three 2014 murders in Austin
  • I thought we were dealing with a serial killer.
    "48 Hours" investigates connection between three 2014 murders in Austin

Key Moments

  • Kathy's Fight00:59
  • Serial Killer Suspicion01:40
  • Video Evidence02:14

Tension Over Time

Words per Minute Over Time

Vibes Breakdown

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