For thirty years, someone terrorized Buffalo, New York. At least nine women attacked. Three murdered. The community lived in fear.

Then in 1994, after his most violent assault yet, the attacks suddenly stopped.

For twelve years: nothing. No reports. No victims. Complete silence.

Investigators wondered: Was he dead? In prison for something else? Had he moved away?

In September 2006, he came back. And this time, he made a mistake.

When a 45-year-old nurse went for her morning jog and never came home, he left behind a single droplet of evidence that would finally answer a question the community had been asking since 1990: Who killed Linda Yalem?

Linda was 22 years old, training for the New York City Marathon, when she was murdered on a bike path near the University at Buffalo. Her case went cold for sixteen years. But by 2007, DNA technology had evolved enough to do what was impossible in 1990. And when investigators connected that sweat droplet to Linda's murder, they uncovered something that stunned the community.

The killer had been hiding in plain sight the whole time.

He coached Little League. He went to church. Neighbors called him "Uncle Al." He'd lived in the same place for thirty years just miles from where he left Linda's body. He even registered to run in the memorial race held in her honor.

But here's the detail that haunts investigators most: In 1981, a rape victim followed her attacker to a parking lot and wrote down his license plate number. Police traced the car. Questioned the owner. And stopped investigating when he denied driving it that day.

He lied.

If they had pressed harder, three women would still be alive.

This episode also tells the story of Anthony Capozzi,a man who spent 22 years in prison for crimes he didn't commit, while the real killer remained free. How DNA finally proved his innocence. And why his case resulted in the largest wrongful conviction settlement in New York State history.

⚠️ CONTENT WARNING: This episode discusses sexual assault, murder, and wrongful conviction.

For complete sources and timeline: https://crimedecoded.com/episode-notes-6-2/

If you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence:

RAINN National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-4673