Episode 6: The Murder of Linda Slaten

This is dark stuff, the story of a young, single mother, 31-year-old Linda Patterson Slatten, who was brutally raped and murdered on September 4th, 1981.  Her life was taken in the dark, early morning hours in Lakeland, Florian as she slept in her own bedroom, that seemingly most safe of places.

Left: Linda Patterson Slaten: Murder Victim

Right: Jospeh Clinton Mills: Accused Murderer

This is dark stuff, the story of a young, single mother, 31-year-old Linda Patterson Slatten, who was brutally raped and murdered on September 4th, 1981.  Her life was taken in the dark, early morning hours in Lakeland, Florian as she slept in her own bedroom, that seemingly most safe of places. There is a lifetime of pain that exists between that long-ago night and the one that would come later, that would bring with it a name for that faceless darkness who stole into a little family’s home and destroyed three lives, one with murder, and two with the aftermath. 

The light in the midst of all this darkness is that justice comes for those that hurt others, sometimes it takes decades, in Linda’s case it took 38 years, but come it did.

Tampa Bay Times: She was murdered 38 years ago. Her son’s football coach is now charged based on DNA.

The Ledger: Linda Slaten Murder

Press Conference on Youtube

Oxygen: Joseph Mills Accused…

The Ledger: Brothers Keep Hope…

News Channel 8 - Tampa: I’ve Been in Shock Over It…

Lakeland Ledger from 1981: Police Hunt Woman’s Murderer

Parabon Nanolabs

Wired: The Future of Crime Fighting is Family Tree Forensics

Polk County Cold Case Team: Linda Slaten

Mother Jones: Police Are Increasingly Taking Advantage of Home DNA Tests.