The Murder of Jane Mixer: A Cold Case Revisited

In March 1969, the quiet community of Ann Arbor, Michigan, was shaken by the discovery of 23-year-old law student Jane Mixer in a remote cemetery. Jane was bright, focused, and deeply committed to her future in law. Her murder stunned the University of Michigan campus and left investigators with more questions than answers.

For decades, Jane’s death was grouped together with a series of brutal killings attributed to the so-called “Co-Ed Killer.” Her case fit the pattern at first glance: a young woman, found in a secluded area, killed with shocking violence. But something was always different about Jane’s murder. The method, the location, the details—they didn’t fully match the others.

Then, more than thirty years later, everything changed.

Thanks to advancements in DNA technology, investigators revisited old evidence from the crime scene. Testing revealed a surprising match: Gary Leiterman, a man with no known connection to Jane and no criminal history. The discovery reignited interest in the case and ultimately led to Leiterman’s conviction.

But the story didn’t end there.

Questions quickly surfaced about the reliability of the DNA testing. Another unidentified profile—belonging to a young child—appeared on the same evidence. Defense attorneys raised concerns about possible contamination inside the crime lab. Prosecutors argued the results were sound. Experts debated. Families waited for answers.

Today, more than fifty years after Jane Mixer’s death, people are still divided. Was the right person brought to justice? Or did forensic breakthroughs lead investigators down an incorrect path?

This week’s episode of Forensic Tales takes a deeper look at the investigation, the forensic science behind the DNA, and the unanswered questions that continue to linger over the case. Jane’s story deserves clarity—and listeners may walk away with a different perspective on what really happened in that cemetery in 1969.

🎧 Listen to the full episode now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts.