‘Steeltown Murders’ Recap: ‘Episode 3’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Still from Episode 103 of ‘Steeltown Murders’ Courtesy of Acorn TV.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Three of ‘Steeltown Murders’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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More often than not, crime stories that revolve around cold cases, regardless of whether or not they are grounded in truth, take their time in getting to the finish line and understandably so. After all, what’s done is done and there is no need for a sense of urgency to bring anyone to justice. Allowing for incredibly thorough investigations to take place, the kind that feature a careful collection of evidence and absolute certainly from the investigators involved when they narrow down a genuine suspect to arrest. And even that act is pretty low-key in nature. Since there’s no need to rush to slap the cuffs on the real killer, since they haven’t a clue what’s coming their way.

But believe it or not, it is possible, to have a sense of urgency when it comes to cold case themed stories, real and fictional. Simply because… now and again, circumstances require the investigators to hustle and close the case. It could be because something has changed regarding the accused and not acting fast could have a suspect slip through their fingers… or… something shocking can force their hand, and for proof… then look no further than the next episode of Steeltown Murders on Acorn TV. A feat that the next episode accomplished by well, bringing trouble to Paul’s world. Because despite having a wondrous plan to find new DNA through a narrowed down list, the brass above him and so many others, made a powerful choice about the program.

In that, funding was about to be cut, and the case was going to remain open. All because the top brass believed the funds being used for this would be better served elsewhere. Giving Paul and his team, a handful of days to solve the case with their short list and well… that created a mad dash sense of urgency for them. One that outright engaged us and brought forth some serious surprises. Because not only did the team have to find a DNA match, but they had to lock down corroborating evidence to properly link the whole case together and believe it or not, their push to get quick data results, fired back a match. Specifically, Joe Kappen, a man that the team interviewed briefly during the original investigation and found nothing of critical importance during their visit. 

But the data was sound, a 75% match in fact, and with a little digging, the evidence began to make it clear that Joe was likely the killer. After all, the timing of issues regarding his car back in the 1970s, was all a little too perfect. Since those issues prevented suspicion. Not to mention, his MO of violence against younger people, helped to match forensic evidence to wounds inflicted on the victims. All of which, made it seem as though, case was about to be closed. For everything lined up perfectly, and since Joe was dead, it would be even easier to tie him to the murders. But something didn’t sit right with Paul. Because he wanted to know that Joe was 100% their man and was indeed the cold-blooded monster that inflicted so much pain on this town. Which meant, he would need to exhume the body before the deadline, something he was prepared to do. 

But while this was an intense tale, what mattered most here, was that at last… Paul and his team had a name, had evidence, and a path forward to finally put this case to rest and that was huge, and led to some powerful emotional moments as well. Since Sita reflected on this at last, and others began to find peace and reconcile the reality that a decades long nightmare was finally coming to an end. But we do need to praise the intense nature of this tale, since it spoke to how a sense of urgency can exist in low-key cases, and wel… we’re now eager to know how this will end. Because despite having all those wins, Paul knows what he needs to find real peace with this, what others need as well, and it will be interesting to see if he can convince the brass to give him the last funds he needs, to solve this heinous crime or if bureaucracy will be the additional epitaph on the graves of the innocent. Until next time.

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