The Big Canaries

Originally Aired: December 6, 1951 Dragnet #130, "The Big Canaries," Sergeant Joe Friday and his partner Ben Romero are called to investigate a brutal murder case when a 40-year-old woman, Florence Eleanor Dixon, is found savagely stabbed to death in her bedroom. The detectives must first break the devastating news to the victim's 16-year-old daughter, Roberta, pulling her out of class at Woodview High School. With the help of Vice Principal Miss Harmon, they gently inform the girl of her mother's death, and she initially maintains composure before breaking down in hysterics. As the investigation begins, Friday and Romero face a case with few leads and no murder weapon. They learn that Mrs. Dixon was divorced, lived alone with her daughter, and had a bitter relationship with her ex-husband who hasn't been heard from in over a year. During questioning, young Roberta reveals that her mother distrusted men and kept no male friends. With reporter George DeCovin pressing for details and the crime lab still processing evidence, the detectives must carefully piece together the victim's life to find her killer.