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Sneak peek: The Last Confession

February 27, 2014 / 03:34

This episode covers the unsolved murder of Irene Garza, the role of law enforcement, and the impact of the case on the community. Pamela Koloff, an executive editor at Texas Monthly, discusses the details surrounding Garza's disappearance and the subsequent investigation.

In 1960, Irene Garza went missing after attending confession at Sacred Heart Church. Her body was discovered five days later in a canal, showing signs of sexual assault and suffocation. Koloff highlights the lack of action taken by police despite having suspects early in the investigation.

Koloff shares insights from her father, a deputy sheriff at the time, who believed he knew the killer but was told to step away from the case. The episode raises questions about the cover-up surrounding the investigation and the community's silence regarding the suspect.

The discussion reveals the emotional weight of the case and the ongoing quest for justice for Irene Garza. Koloff emphasizes the importance of accountability for the crime and the need to bring the killer to justice.

TLDR

Pamela Koloff discusses the unsolved murder of Irene Garza and the investigation's failures.

Episode

3:34
00:00:00
[Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music]
00:00:20
that grave right there there's a human being in there and somebody put her in there the killer still sits somewhere on
00:00:30
this [Music] Earth smugly thinking he got away with it the facts on this case should not be
00:00:39
buried with iring Garson he will be held accountable that's what drives me I was fascinated with a a case that
00:00:50
happened this long ago it was a case that involved a beautiful young woman she'd won a number of beauty
00:01:00
pageants she was very very striking always perfectly turned out people always noticed
00:01:07
her my name is Pamela Koloff I'm an executive editor at Texas monthly and I've been writing for the magazine for
00:01:14
16 [Music] years the Night Before Easter Sunday in 1960 Irene decided that she wanted to
00:01:24
give confession at her church at Sacred Heart she was devoutly devoutly dedicated to her
00:01:34
church she was seen in the confession line she was seen putting a white lace veil over her head but she was never
00:01:41
seen leaving where was Irene Garza found Irene was found in this canal 5 days after she disappeared and what had the
00:01:51
killer done to her she was uh sexually assaulted physically assaulted and she died of
00:01:58
suffocation did the police have any suspects early on yes they did my father that was a deputy sheriff
00:02:06
at that time he told my mom he already knew who it was he approached his Superior and asked him why is nothing
00:02:15
being done and he was told to just step away from the case just step away let us
00:02:21
take care of it the case just stopped cold for decades why was that why was there not an indictment pursued why had
00:02:32
there been no justice for Irene I covered up the evidence I'm sorry for what I did I think the turning point in
00:02:40
the modernday part of this case was when Dale tashne picked up the phone he assaulted her bounded her and gagged her
00:02:51
as he left he could hear her saying I can't breathe I can't breathe a lot of people went out of their way
00:03:01
[Music] to keep the identity of this person [Applause] secret when your father was out
00:03:13
investigating this killing did you ever hear anything at home about a suspect who the suspect
00:03:23
was yeah all you would hear was elito it was the priest [Music]

Badges

This episode stands out for the following:

  • 80
    Most shocking
  • 75
    Most heartbreaking
  • 70
    Most emotional
  • 70
    Best overall

Episode Highlights

  • The Disappearance of Irene Garza
    Irene Garza was last seen at her church on Easter Sunday in 1960, leading to a tragic discovery days later.
    “Where was Irene Garza found?”
    @ 01m 48s
    February 27, 2014
  • A Case of Injustice
    Decades passed without justice for Irene Garza, raising questions about the investigation's integrity.
    “Why had there been no justice for Irene?”
    @ 02m 32s
    February 27, 2014
  • The Identity of the Suspect
    Speculation surrounds the suspect in Irene's case, with whispers pointing to a priest.
    “All you would hear was Elito, it was the priest.”
    @ 03m 26s
    February 27, 2014

Episode Quotes

  • The killer still sits somewhere on Earth smugly thinking he got away with it.
    Sneak peek: The Last Confession
  • Why was there not an indictment pursued?
    Sneak peek: The Last Confession
  • I can't breathe, I can't breathe.
    Sneak peek: The Last Confession

Key Moments

  • Irene's Confession01:21
  • Tragic Discovery01:50
  • Decades of Silence02:25
  • Turning Point02:40
  • Suspect Revealed03:23

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