Decades after the brutal murder of Cedar Rapids high school senior Michelle Martinko, authorities have finally arrested a suspect, bringing closure to a case that haunted the community for over 40 years. Jerry Lynn Burns, 64, was charged with first-degree murder, following groundbreaking advancements in DNA technology that connected him to the crime scene.
Michelle, just 18 years old, was found stabbed over 20 times in her car in a mall parking lot on December 19, 1979. The shocking nature of her murder left a lasting impact on the small town, with residents grappling with the horror of such violence in their community.
Despite numerous theories and suspects over the years, including her ex-boyfriend and the last person to see her alive, Kurt Thomas, the case went cold. It wasn’t until 2006 that DNA evidence was finally tested, leading to a renewed investigation in 2015 when Detective Matt Dener took on the cold case.
The breakthrough came when investigators utilized genealogical DNA databases, ultimately narrowing their search down to three brothers from Manchester, Iowa. It was the DNA from a drinking straw discarded by Jerry Burns that confirmed his link to the murder, leading to his arrest.
As news of the arrest spread, the Cedar Rapids community was filled with a mix of relief and disbelief. Many had long feared that Michelle’s killer would never be found, but the relentless pursuit of justice by law enforcement has finally brought a measure of closure.
Burns, who appeared in court looking like an ordinary man, now faces life in prison without parole. His trial is expected to be contentious, as the defense challenges the DNA evidence and questions the lack of a clear motive for the murder.
Michelle Martinko’s family, though relieved to have a suspect in custody, expressed lingering sorrow over the years lost without answers. As they reflect on the tragic loss of their beloved daughter, the community stands united in remembrance, honoring the life of a young woman whose story has now come full circle after decades of uncertainty.
