Unfinished Investigation: Recent Episodes
Gail Elieson
In 1994, police were led to the home of twenty-six-year-old Diana Ault. There, they found Diana, motionless on the hallway floor, her 4-year-old son and 7-month-old daughter covered with blood. Who killed Diana Ault? Twenty-nine years later, there has been no resolution. No one has been held accountable for Diana’s murder. In this podcast, family members share their stories. They talk about what it’s like to live with the unexpected brutal death of a loved one, their frustrations in dealing with law enforcement, and changes that need to be made in addressing cold case homicides.
Living with the unsolved murder of a loved one changes the lives of everyone left behind. None of Diana’s family were left untouched by her death. As they continue to deal with their loss and continue to be frustrated with law enforcement, Diana’s family would like to see changes in the way cold cases are handled.
Diana’s family had doubts about the investigation, especially when they learned about the mistress’s history. Bill tried looking for anyone who would help with his daughter’s unsolved murder. Plus, one more person had to be interviewed, Diana’s husband Tim. What did he have to say about his wife’s murder?
A friend introduced Bill, Josh, and Katie to a private investigator (PI). The PI looked into Diana’s murder and compiled a report of his findings. He gave his report to the prosecutor’s office, but everything the PI had found was dismissed. That’s when Bill requested a meeting. He wanted to speak with the county prosecutor himself.
The exact time of Diana’s death is in question, and the suspect’s alibi may not be airtight, leading Diana’s family to be even more convinced they are focused on the right person. But could they be wrong? Diana’s family needs to consider all possibilities. And what does Josh remember about that night?
The police believed Diana had interrupted a burglary. Diana’s father, Bill, and sister, Sharon did not agree with that assessment. Bill and Sharon gave the police the name of the person they believed fired the gun. That suggestion was dismissed until two other people came forward with the same name. But when the police looked into that individual, they found their suspect had an alibi.
On January 30, 1994, after spending Super-Bowl Sunday with her in-laws, Diana Ault drove home with her two young children, 4-year-old Josh and 7-month-old Katie. Diana sat them in the living room, then walked toward the kitchen. That’s when someone hiding in the shadows killed Diana, by firing a gun into the side of her neck. No one in Diana’s family ever expected to get a call or a knock at the door, telling them Diana was dead. Now memories of Diana are all they have.
Diana Ault's murder has gone unsolved for 29 years. This podcast tells her family's story and the problem of cold case homicides.