Today, we dive into the cold-case of 14-year-old Wendy Jerome, murdered on Thanksgiving Day on November 22, 1984, in Rochester, New York. After leaving home to deliver a birthday card to her best friend Sue, Wendy was found beaten and assaulted near School 33. For decades, her parents, Wayne and Marlene Jerome, fought for justice amid false leads. Years later, cold-case investigator Sergeant Gus Venosa began tirelessly pursuing clues. A breakthrough occurred in 1999 when DNA profiling was conducted on evidence from the assault kit. Then in 2020, a surprise twist in the case broke when modern DNA forensics provided the crucial lead, ultimately identifying the true perpetrator. Join us as we recount the events, the long wait for closure, and the power of modern forensics in solving this tragic mystery. For even more stories like this one, join the Crime Junkie Fan Club today: https://crimejunkiepodcast.com/fanclub?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=episode_description&utm_campaign=signupfanclub Follow Crime Junkie: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crimejunkiepodcast Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrimeJunkiePodcast/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/CrimeJunkiePod Crime Junkie is created and hosted by Ashley Flowers. About Ashley Flowers Ashley Flowers is the top female podcaster in the U.S. and the host of Crime Junkie, the #1 podcast among women and the #1 true crime podcast globally. As the Founder of audiochuck, she has built a top-tier podcast production company that has garnered over 2.6 billion downloads, captivating audiences with its gripping storytelling through 10+ chart topping podcasts. Ashley and her team are dedicated to creating responsible true crime content that respects victims and their families. Follow Ashley: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ASHLEYFLOWERS/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/ash_flowers TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ashleyflowerscrimejunkie Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashleyflowers.af/ Check out these other great crime channels: @kallmekris The Horrors Of The Fox Hollow Farm Serial Killer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nh2Mhynhh9c @rottenmangopod Teen Girl Begs TikTok To Find Her Mom’s Killer THEN Gets Arrested For Killing Both Parents https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81EHph0Cl-U @annieelise 4-Year-Old Girl Vanishes — Then a Shocking Confession | Athena Brownfield https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhkT2b2jvso @StephanieHarlowe Another Jodi Arias? Inside the Ryan Poston Case (Part 1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XEkgLiDsIM0