Minnesota Cold Case Solved: DNA Links Hockey Dad to 1993 Murder

In May 2025, Minnesota crime scene investigators revealed footage of their investigation into a decades-old cold case. This case revolved around the brutal murder of Jeanie Childs in her Minneapolis apartment on June 13, 1993.

The Discovery of the Crime Scene

On the evening of the murder, a tenant reported a water leak. A caretaker and a security guard traced the water to apartment 2104. Inside, they found the shower running and substantial flooding. In the bedroom, they stumbled upon Jeanie Childs’ body, who had been stabbed over 60 times.

Retired forensic scientist Bart Epstein was among the first on the scene. He noted that the bloody evidence was crucial:

Bart Epstein: “This was a violent, bloody crime scene… one of the bloodiest I’d been to.”

Epstein documented the scene meticulously. Blood stains and spatter revealed Jeanie had been attacked near the bathroom door and had moved towards the bathroom before succumbing to her injuries.

DNA Leads and Footprints

Investigators noticed the sink faucet was still dripping. Epstein speculated that the killer attempted to clean themselves. However, no murder weapon was found. Bloody bare footprints were discovered under the bedroom window, indicating the killer had walked barefoot.

Interestingly, Jeanie’s body wore socks, suggesting the prints belonged to the assailant. Upon further investigation, these prints were matched to an unknown DNA profile found throughout the crime scene, including blood scrapings and other materials collected for DNA testing.

The Investigation and Trials

Jeanie Childs lived with Arthur Gray, who became a person of interest. Police gathered hairs matching Gray from the scene, but his alibi held strong, and his footprints did not match the crime scene prints.

Years later, the DNA technology had advanced. In 2015, a new investigation linked DNA to a man named John Esswein, who denied involvement. Nonetheless, unknown DNA from the crime scene matched a new suspect, Jerry Westrom, via genealogical websites.

Reinvestigation and Arrest

Westrom, a married father and businessman, was identified as a suspect in 2019. DNA collected from a napkin he discarded at a hockey game was compared to the unknown DNA at the crime scene, and they matched.

While additional leads were considered, including DNA from other individuals found on various items at the crime scene, Westrom’s DNA linked him definitively to the murder scene.

The Trial and Verdict

In August 2022, Westrom faced trial. Evidence pointed to him as Jeanie’s murderer, despite no evident motive. Footprints and DNA confirmed his presence in her apartment at the time of her death.

After a thorough examination of testimonies and evidence, Westrom was convicted of first-degree murder, though his second-degree murder conviction was reversed by the Minnesota Supreme Court. His petition to the U.S. Supreme Court was denied.

Throughout his trial, Westrom maintained his innocence, supported by lifelong friends. However, Jeanie’s family feels that justice has been served for her untimely death.