MURDERED: Jodine Serrin Part 1
On Valentine’s Day in 2007, 39-year-old Jodine Serrin was brutally murdered and desecrated in her own bed – while her parents were just down the hall. Over the next 10 years, using new forensic techniques, the Carlsbad Police Department identified her killer. But when they did, everyone was forced to confront the chilling realization that this man had been leading a double life – on one hand, living like you and I, acting as a father, partner and employee. On the other, he was a monster.
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Jodine Serrin.
Courtesy: Carlsbad Police Department.
Jodine Serrin.
Courtesy: Carlsbad Police Department.
The condo complex where Jodine lived.
Courtesy: Carlsbad Police Department.
Lois and Art Serrin with a portrait of their daughter, Jodine.
Courtesy: Carlsbad Police Department.
The living room in Jodine’s condo.
Courtesy: Carlsbad Police Department.
The killer’s sneakers, found behind Jodine’s door.
Courtesy: Carlsbad Police Department.
The killer’s sneakers, found behind Jodine’s door.
Courtesy: Carlsbad Police Department.
A bloody footprint left behind by Jodine’s killer.
Courtesy: Carlsbad Police Department.
Windows in Jodine’s bedroom, covered with bed linens.
Courtesy: Carlsbad Police Department.
The mirror placed beside Jodine’s bed.
Courtesy: Carlsbad Police Department.
Dishes left in Jodine’s sink.
Courtesy: Carlsbad Police Department.
A sweatshirt recovered by detectives from a bush near Jodine’s condo.
Courtesy: Carlsbad Police Department.
The initial composite sketch based on a description from Jodine’s dad, Art.
Courtesy: Carlsbad Police Department.
The composite image generated by Parabon NanoLabs in Virginia.
Courtesy: Carlsbad Police Department.
David Mabrito.
Courtesy: Carlsbad Police Department.
Timeline:
10:00pm
Jodine’s body is found by her parents inside her condo.
David Mabrito dies by suicide after getting his DNA collected when a police officer believed he matched the description of a suspect in a nearby bank robbery.
A composite image created using DNA evidence is released using the services of Parabon NanoLabs.
David’s DNA swab from 2011 is tested and it matches the DNA left at Jodine’s crime scene. Investigators announce the case is solved.
Jodine’s Condo
Where Jodine lived and where her body was found.
Additional Info
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National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
If you or someone you know is in crisis or feeling suicidal, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255). Trained counselors are available 24/7 to provide support.
We’d love to speak with you and see how we can support.
If you’re a law enforcement agency or family member of one of the people we mentioned in this episode, or if you’re looking for more coverage on a case, please reach out. You can email us at:
Episode Source Material
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Original reporting by Nicole Kagan
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Bloodline Detectives: Deadly Desire (S1 E3). Aired May 7, 2020. Accessed via YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgFwjeryE-k&list=PLC4mqmKvz1IbP4W2DMLqhFyqk-4ijSRlE
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The San Diego Union-Tribune (San Diego, CA): Carlsbad: Police seek clues in Valentine’s Day homicide. Published February 13, 2011. Updated September 2, 2016. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2011/02/13/carlsbad-police-seek-clues-in-valentines-day-homicide/
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NBC 7 San Diego (San Diego, CA): Valentine’s Day murder still unsolved by Tony Shin. Published February 13, 2012. https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/jodi-serrin-murder-case-valentines-day/1945917/
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The San Diego Union-Tribune (San Diego, CA): Carlsbad: Valentine’s Day murder unsolved for fifth year. Published February 14, 2012. Updated September 3, 2016. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2012/02/14/carlsbad-valentines-day-murder-unsolved-for-fifth-year/
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Patch (National): Valentine’s Day murder haunts parents of Disabled Carlsbad Woman by Christine Huard. Published October 17, 2013. https://patch.com/california/carlsbad/missing-and-wanted-valentines-day-murder-haunts-parents-of-disabled-carlsbad-woman
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The San Diego Union-Tribune (San Diego, CA): Eight years on hunt for killer continues by Teri Figueroa. Published February 13, 2015. Updated August 25, 2016. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2015/02/13/eight-years-on-hunt-for-killer-continues/
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FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News (San Diego, CA): Composite image released in 2007 Valentine’s Day murder by Jason Sloss. Published February 14, 2017. https://fox5sandiego.com/news/composite-image-released-in-2007-valentines-day-murder/
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CBS 8 (San Diego, CA): Parents hope ‘DNA snapshot’ finally reveals killer in Carlsbad murder by Heather Hope. Published February 14, 2017. Updated January 29, 2019. https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/parents-hope-dna-snapshot-finally-reveals-killer-in-carlsbad-murder/509-04842d17-c0f9-4954-8cd9-360cf6fb896c
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NBC 7 San Diego (San Diego, CA): DNA Technology Produces Potential Portrait of Killer in Carlsbad Woman’s 2007 Valentine’s Day Murder by Monica Garske. Published February 14, 2018. Updated November 13, 2018. https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/cold-case-murder-carlsbad-jodine-serrin-dna-snapshot-technology/165545/
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NBC 7 San Diego (San Diego, CA): DNA Technology identifies suspect in women’s unsolved Valentine’s Day 2007 killing by Monica Garske. Published November 13, 2018. Updated November 15, 2018. https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/jodine-serrin-carlsbad-cold-case-murder-suspect-david-mabrito/168412/
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Times of San Diego (San Diego): Carlsbad murder mystery solved: DNA reveals 2007 killer as suicide victim by Ken Stone. Published November 13, 2018. https://timesofsandiego.com/crime/2018/11/13/carlsbad-murder-mystery-solved-dna-reveals-2007-killer-as-suicide-victim/
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The San Diego Union-Tribune (San Diego, CA): Genealogy helps solve 2007 murder mystery of woman killed in Carlsbad apartment by Teri Figueroa. Published November 13, 2018. Updated April 29, 2019. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2018/11/13/genealogy-helps-solve-2007-murder-mystery-of-woman-killed-in-carlsbad-apartment/
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