Scott Weinberger

One day, Yvonne Pointer picked up a pen and paper and wrote Rommel Broom a letter in prison.

One day, Yvonne Pointer picked up a pen and paper and wrote Rommel Broom a letter in prison.

She had a feeling that Gloria's killer would be in there. She could not fathom that he could potentially be walking around in the community still free.

She had a feeling that Gloria's killer would be in there. She could not fathom that he could potentially be walking around in the community still free.

It was an unconventional approach, to put it mildly. But for Yvonne, it was a way to turn her pain into purpose and keep her promise to Gloria.

It was an unconventional approach, to put it mildly. But for Yvonne, it was a way to turn her pain into purpose and keep her promise to Gloria.

When I was trying to picture the scene after hearing her in your interview, Anasika, actually getting in there and determining that somebody within these walls likely killed my daughter and I'm going to find them. I mean, talk about determination.

When I was trying to picture the scene after hearing her in your interview, Anasika, actually getting in there and determining that somebody within these walls likely killed my daughter and I'm going to find them. I mean, talk about determination.

While Yvonne channeled her grief into activism, unbeknownst to her, investigators continued to actively work on Gloria's case. In the early 2000s, they were able to take advantage of the advances in DNA technology and test some of the evidence.

While Yvonne channeled her grief into activism, unbeknownst to her, investigators continued to actively work on Gloria's case. In the early 2000s, they were able to take advantage of the advances in DNA technology and test some of the evidence.

But when they tested her clothing, they continued to get only an inconclusive profile, a frustrating setback in their pursuit of justice. For years, Ivan continued to write Rommel Broom, right up to the date set for his execution in September of 2009. Leading up to that event, Ivan decided to send him one last letter questioning if he in fact had killed Gloria.

But when they tested her clothing, they continued to get only an inconclusive profile, a frustrating setback in their pursuit of justice. For years, Ivan continued to write Rommel Broom, right up to the date set for his execution in September of 2009. Leading up to that event, Ivan decided to send him one last letter questioning if he in fact had killed Gloria.

Broom had written with what he thought were his last breaths, and that he claimed he did not murder Gloria all those years ago.

Broom had written with what he thought were his last breaths, and that he claimed he did not murder Gloria all those years ago.

The investigation into Gloria's murder changed hands and was passed to different detectives as the many years passed by. In 2010, they did further testing on Gloria's clothing using even a more advanced process for extracting DNA. This time, they were at least somewhat successful.

The investigation into Gloria's murder changed hands and was passed to different detectives as the many years passed by. In 2010, they did further testing on Gloria's clothing using even a more advanced process for extracting DNA. This time, they were at least somewhat successful.

But the work in finding those people and getting consent for the testing turned into a years-long process. By 2013, they were still not finished.

But the work in finding those people and getting consent for the testing turned into a years-long process. By 2013, they were still not finished.

When the reporter contacted the medical examiner's office to ask about the status of Gloria's case, it set off a chain reaction. And not long after, Yvonne remembers the DNA profile obtained from Gloria's clothing was finally entered into a statewide database. Now, this is a pattern I've seen from both sides of the aisle, so to speak, as a member of law enforcement and as a journalist.

When the reporter contacted the medical examiner's office to ask about the status of Gloria's case, it set off a chain reaction. And not long after, Yvonne remembers the DNA profile obtained from Gloria's clothing was finally entered into a statewide database. Now, this is a pattern I've seen from both sides of the aisle, so to speak, as a member of law enforcement and as a journalist.