‘Crimes committed by a monster’: Man sentenced to life in sexual assault cold case

This episode recounts the successful resolution of a 1987 cold case involving the brutal sexual assault of two young girls in Exeter, Rhode Island. After nearly four decades of uncertainty, investigators utilized forensic genetic genealogy to identify Frank Thies as the assailant through a match with a distant relative’s DNA. The narrative details how Thies, who was a member of the military at the time of the attack, was eventually apprehended in Indiana following a covert DNA collection operation. During his 2025 trial, emotional testimony from the survivors highlighted the lifelong trauma and family devastation caused by his actions. The proceedings culminated in a double life sentence, a decision the presiding judge emphasized was necessary for a "predator" who had robbed children of their innocence. Ultimately, the source illustrates how modern technology and persistent law enforcement efforts can finally deliver accountability for long-dormant crimes.This episode includes AI-generated content.