On September 7, 2023, Detective Melissa Wallace received a startling call from Stephan Smerk, a 52-year-old father living in Niskayuna, New York. He was at the police department to confess to a cold case murder from 1994—the murder of Robin Warr Lawrence. “I had a million thoughts racing through my mind,” said Wallace, realizing that they might finally close a case that had haunted them for nearly 30 years.
Robin, an artist and mother, was found dead in her home in Springfield, Virginia, leaving her 2-year-old daughter, Nicole, alone for two days before anyone discovered the horrific scene. The mystery of who could commit such a crime puzzled investigators for decades. “At Robin’s funeral, I remember thinking, the killer could be among us,” recalled Mary Warr Cowans, Robin’s sister.
For years, the case lay cold until DNA evidence—a blood sample discovered on a washcloth—could not match any profiles in CODIS, the FBI’s database. However, advancements in genetic genealogy offered a new glimmer of hope. This method allows researchers to use a suspect’s DNA to trace familial connections, piecing together family trees until a suspect emerges. Despite initial skepticism by Parabon NanoLabs—who assessed a “solvability rate of zero”—Volunteers like Liz persevered, eventually identifying Smerk as a potential suspect based on circumstantial evidence.
When Wallace and her colleague Jon Long visited Smerk, he seemed unfazed by their inquiry. After willingly providing a DNA sample, he was soon in custody. During questioning, he confessed: “I knew I was going to kill someone.” Reflecting on his life, Smerk stated, “If it weren’t for my wife and kids, I probably would be a serial killer.” This unsettling claim left detectives questioning the depths of his psychology.
Former FBI profiler Mary Ellen O’Toole commented on Smerk’s confession, suggesting that while some individuals do kill only once, underlying impulses often linger. “Those compulsions don’t just vanish. They need an outlet,” she explained. Smerk’s lack of criminal history made his case all the more perplexing. “It’s troubling to think what might still be brewing inside him,” O’Toole added.
In the end, Smerk pleaded guilty and received a 70-year sentence, eligible for parole in 2037 when he will be 65. Though Robin’s family feels a sense of closure, the pain of loss endures. “It’s comforting to know justice was served, but it doesn’t erase the horror of what happened,” said Cowans. She shared her fears of living in a world where such violence is possible, echoing the sentiments of others in the community feeling exposed and vulnerable.
As we reflect on this chilling case, it raises questions about the nature of violent impulses and the complexities of human behavior. While Smerk may be behind bars, discussions about mental health and violence prevention remains crucial in our ongoing quest for safer communities. For more on how genetic genealogy has transformed criminal investigations, visit the Parabon NanoLabs website for insights into their groundbreaking work.
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