In Part 2 of our investigation into Rochester’s Double Initial Murders, we turn from the victims to the men who have been suspected of killing Carmen Colón, Wanda Walkowicz and Michelle Maenza.
Some suspects were close to the victims. Others were already violent offenders. And one would later become infamous as part of the Hillside Stranglers.
We examine James Barber, Rochester’s so-called “Garage Rapist” Dennis Termini, Kenneth Bianchi, and convicted serial killer Joseph Naso—including the evidence that made each man a compelling suspect and the problems that kept investigators from closing the case.
One suspect was even exhumed decades after his death so investigators could compare his DNA to biological evidence recovered from Wanda Walkowicz. The result? No match. Another had striking similarities to the crimes but no physical evidence connecting him to the Rochester murders.
More than 50 years later, the murders remain officially unsolved, and the three cases have never been conclusively proven to be the work of a single killer. But preserved evidence from Wanda’s case could still offer one path forward: genetic genealogy.
So who killed Carmen, Wanda and Michelle? Was one of these suspects responsible—or has the real killer never been publicly identified?
What is Hot Justice Podcast?
Two friends, countless crimes, one big question: why do people do what they do?
In Hot Justice, best friends and true crime obsessives Heather and Ciara dig into cases both famous and forgotten, blending deep research with unfiltered conversation. Expect late-night-theory energy, occasional gasps, and a lot of “wait, WHAT?” moments.
If you love true crime with heart, humor, and humanity — you’re in the right place.