218 - The Murder of Leslie Zaret
Trace Evidence
Steven Pacheco
4.7 • 4.2K Ratings
🗓️ 6 April 2023
⏱️ 69 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
On the evening of Friday, August 16th, 1974, seventeen year old Leslie Zaret set off on a walk she'd made many times before. Leaving her best friend's home, the Queens, NY native had twenty-six blocks to cross before she'd arrive home. She never made it and less than ten hours later, her body was discovered in the playground of PS 203 - more than six miles off course from Leslie's walk.
The initial investigation struggled with a lack of evidence, witnesses and suspects. Despite sincere efforts, the case grew cold. Thirty-two years later, a curious dream caused an NYPD Chief to take another look. Using new techniques and technology, they would finally identify a person of interest. However, nearly fifty years later, they still need your help to bring this monster to justice.
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#crime #truecrime #coldcase #queensny #newyork #newyorkcrime #unsolved #lesliezaret #truecrimepodcast #unsolvedmysteries #zaret
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Today's episode involves discussion of a case revolving around sexual assault and abuse which some may find disturbing. |
| 0:07.0 | Listener discretion is advised. |
| 0:17.5 | On a warm and muggy summer night in August of 1974, 17-year-old Leslie Zarratt went missing. |
| 0:25.0 | A native of Queens, New York, Leslie knew the area well and frequently walked long distances on a company. |
| 0:31.5 | However, on Friday, August 16th, she vanished while walking the 26 blocks from her best friend's house to her family home, |
| 0:39.5 | a trip she had taken countless times before. |
| 0:42.5 | Six hours later, her family reported her missing and within just four hours, they were called down to the police station to identify her body. |
| 0:52.0 | At approximately 820 AM, a local custodian employed by Public School 203 contacted authorities to report the discovery of a body. |
| 1:01.0 | Detectives quickly determined that the victim had been sexually assaulted and murdered. |
| 1:05.5 | While investigators initially theorized that the 17-year-old may have been killed by someone she knew, evidence would mount, pointing in a completely different direction. |
| 1:15.5 | For more than 30 years, Leslie's case grew cold until a three-star NYPD chief, a highly respected lieutenant, and an investigator lauded for his shrewd skills and memory began digging back in. |
| 1:29.0 | What they would uncover completely changed the shape of the case and for the first time, introduced a suspect who operated with a very similar MO at the same time. |
| 1:40.0 | All these years later, they still need your help to bring Leslie's killer to justice. |
| 1:46.0 | This is Trace Evidence, Episode 218, The Murder of Leslie Zaret. |
| 1:58.5 | Welcome to Trace Evidence. I'm your host, Stephen Pichecco. |
| 2:03.0 | Today, we examine the brutal and disturbing murder and sexual assault of 17-year-old Leslie Zaret. |
| 2:10.0 | Before getting into the case, just a few quick notes about the show. |
| 2:14.0 | Trace Evidence is a weekly true crime podcast focused on unsolved murders and disappearances. |
| 2:20.0 | Visit trace-evidence.com for all social media links, episode breakdowns, donation options, and contact information. |
| 2:28.5 | You can submit case suggestions through the website or by emailing me directly at trace-evidence-pod at gmail.com. |
| 2:36.0 | As a final note, this year, CrimeCon will be taking place in Orlando, Florida from September 22nd through the 24th. |
| 2:43.5 | I'll be there representing Trace Evidence on podcast row and I hope to see you too. |
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