Connor

It's a huge break, but it comes with an equally big catch. Police don't arrest Herb. They can't, because he never returns home. Herb's body is found eight days later by some campers in a Canadian park, dead by suicide. He leaves a note behind that mentions plenty, but there's not a single word about any murders or remains. The news makes headlines all across Indiana. Here's Jeff.

Jeff gets involved 26 years later.

Jeff gets involved 26 years later.

Jeff left law enforcement and started his own private business, which he ran until someone at the coroner's office asked if he'd consider working for them.

Jeff left law enforcement and started his own private business, which he ran until someone at the coroner's office asked if he'd consider working for them.

Coroner is an elected official in Indiana. They can hold office for up to eight years, two four-year terms. When Connor spoke to him at the end of 2024, Jeff was finishing up the second year of his first term.

Coroner is an elected official in Indiana. They can hold office for up to eight years, two four-year terms. When Connor spoke to him at the end of 2024, Jeff was finishing up the second year of his first term.

Responsibilities for the position vary depending on jurisdiction and state, but they're wide-ranging and include notifying family members of the deceased, interviewing witnesses, testifying in court, collecting evidence, and performing autopsies.

Responsibilities for the position vary depending on jurisdiction and state, but they're wide-ranging and include notifying family members of the deceased, interviewing witnesses, testifying in court, collecting evidence, and performing autopsies.

But above all else, the coroner has one role.

But above all else, the coroner has one role.

The call comes in 2022, a few months into Jeff's first term. Eric tells Jeff he's the relative of Alan Livingston, who's been missing since August of 1993. The Livingstons believe that Alan is among the remains taken from Fox Hollow Farm. They're looking for someone who can help confirm or deny their suspicions.

The call comes in 2022, a few months into Jeff's first term. Eric tells Jeff he's the relative of Alan Livingston, who's been missing since August of 1993. The Livingstons believe that Alan is among the remains taken from Fox Hollow Farm. They're looking for someone who can help confirm or deny their suspicions.

Jeff decides to give the university a call. He speaks with Krista Latham, a forensic anthropologist and professor there. She catches Jeff up to speed.

Jeff decides to give the university a call. He speaks with Krista Latham, a forensic anthropologist and professor there. She catches Jeff up to speed.

Beginning an investigation would be a monumental undertaking, one that presented many challenges.

Beginning an investigation would be a monumental undertaking, one that presented many challenges.

For Jeff, step one is to assemble a team. He says the Indiana State DNA lab comes on board first, then the FBI, then a private DNA lab called Othram. Even though it's the only cold case his team has, they know from the start that the investigation will be a long one.

For Jeff, step one is to assemble a team. He says the Indiana State DNA lab comes on board first, then the FBI, then a private DNA lab called Othram. Even though it's the only cold case his team has, they know from the start that the investigation will be a long one.

An investigation like this can often involve a lot of hurry up and wait. Even if Fox Hollow wasn't a nearly 30-year-old case, there are plenty of hurdles to cataloging and processing 10,000 remains. DNA testing is more expensive than you might think.