The Unresolved Murder of Jeanie Childs and the Long Path to Justice

In May 2025, Minnesota crime scene investigators got their first glimpse inside a high-rise apartment in Minneapolis. According to police, a tenant reported water seeping into their apartment on June 13, 1993. Building staff discovered the water source was apartment 2104.

Bart Epstein | Retired forensic scientist: They went into the apartment and found that the shower was still running, causing the flooding next door.

The body of Jeanie Childs was found under the bed in her Minneapolis apartment. She had been stabbed over 60 times. Blood and water were still present at the scene. The presence of unknown DNA complicates the investigation.

**Painstaking Evidence Collection**

Epstein emphasized that documenting the bloodstains and patterns helped piece together the incident. Jeanie’s movements were traced from being in front of the bathroom door to the bedroom, indicating a struggle. Authorities never found the murder weapon. Bloody footprints in the crime scene belonged to the perpetrator, not to Jeanie who wore socks.

**Family’s Agony**

Jeanie’s mother, Betty Eakman, learned about her daughter’s death through a news report. A prior visit to the emergency room for tooth pain marked Jeanie’s last known activity. The crime scene revealed personal items and unidentified DNA samples.

**Detectives Seek Suspects**

The investigation focused on Arthur Gray, Jeanie’s partner, whose hair matched one of those found at the scene. However, he had an alibi and his footprint did not match those at the apartment. Further exploration involved unknown DNA from a blood sample in the stairwell matching John Esswein, who couldn’t recall how his blood was found there.

**Genealogical Clues**

Investigators used genetic genealogy, leading them to Jerry Westrom, a local businessman. DNA from a discarded napkin tied him to the crime scene. Although Westrom denied knowing Jeanie, his DNA matched samples from the crime scene.

**Trial Evidence and Controversy**

Bloody footprints examined underlined the case against Westrom. While an expert confirmed one match, other prints lacked conclusive evidence. Westrom’s defense argued there were other potential suspects overlooked, like James Luther Carlton, tied to similar crimes.

**Verdict and Repercussions**

Westrom was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life imprisonment. Despite his appeals, his conviction stands. The family of Jeanie Childs continues to grapple with her tragic loss.

**The Aftermath and Reflection**

Jeanie’s mother believes justice was served though her grief persists. Efforts by journalists and legal experts leave a narrative of procedural complexity and enduring familial pain.