Title: Inside the Mind of a Death Investigator: Chilling Cases and Shocking Discoveries
From serial killers to booby-trapped crime scenes, former New York City death investigator Barbara Butcher has seen it all. Over her 23 years with the Chief Medical Examiner’s Office, she encountered some of the most disturbing cases imaginable. Yet, despite her profession being deeply tied to death, Butcher insists her work was always about life.
“At the death scene, you see the lives they led—the books they loved, the TV shows they watched, and the pictures of their families,” she tells A&E True Crime. “Every single victim has a story, a universe of their own.”
In her book, What the Dead Know: Learning About Life as a New York City Death Investigator, Butcher emphasizes that solving a case is about uncovering the “why” behind every death. That pursuit often leads to some shocking revelations.
The Truth About Death Investigations: What TV Gets Wrong
Hollywood often paints an unrealistic picture of death investigations, with high-tech gadgets and instant forensic breakthroughs. But according to Butcher, the reality is far different.
“A real death investigation is about the eyes and ears on the victim, the scene, and the possible perpetrators,” she explains. “DNA is important, but the real work comes from careful observation and asking the right questions.”
A single overlooked detail can change everything. In one case, a routine double homicide turned into something far more complex. “We were processing the scene when I said, ‘Uh oh, what’s in that closet?’” Butcher recalls. “There was another body. It turned out to be a murder-suicide. That completely changed the direction of the investigation.”
The Danger of Assumptions in Crime Scenes
One of the biggest mistakes an investigator can make? Assuming the cause of death before analyzing the evidence.
“If you walk into a scene thinking it’s a homicide, you might start seeing everything through that lens,” Butcher warns. “You have to stay neutral. Otherwise, you risk misinterpreting crucial evidence.”
She recalls cases where initial assumptions nearly derailed investigations. “Many times, what looked like a homicide turned out to be something entirely different. The key is to approach every case with an open mind.”
How Technology Has Transformed Death Investigations
The field of forensic science has evolved dramatically since Butcher began her career in 1992. “We used Polaroids to document crime scenes, which would fade over time. Reports were handwritten and faxed. It was primitive compared to today,” she says.
But perhaps the most significant advancement came in the wake of 9/11. “The sheer scale of that disaster forced us to develop new methods for DNA extraction,” Butcher explains. “Tiny bone fragments mixed in with rubble were identified through DNA. It pushed forensic science ahead by at least four or five generations.”
The Case That Haunts Her the Most
Among the hundreds of cases she worked, some still haunt her. One in particular stands out: the gruesome double murder committed by George Cobo and Tony Lee Simpson.
“I walked into the crime scene and saw a sapphire blue carpet soaked with a thick pool of red blood,” Butcher recalls. “One victim’s head was nearly severed. The other had defensive wounds, clear signs he had fought for his life.”
The killers went on a spree, using their victims’ credit cards to fund a lavish lifestyle until they were caught due to a lovers’ quarrel. “One of them ratted out the other,” Butcher says. “In the end, their arrogance was their downfall.”
The Serial Killer Who Preyed on Innocence
Another case that still weighs on Butcher is that of Arohn Kee, a sadistic serial rapist and murderer who targeted teenage girls in the 1990s.
“One of his first victims was just 13 years old,” Butcher says. “She wore a New Kids on the Block watch. He raped and murdered her. It was heartbreaking.”
Kee’s crimes were particularly infuriating because they were overlooked for so long. “His victims lived in public housing. They were poor and people of color. It wasn’t a priority until it was too late,” she says bitterly. “That injustice still haunts me.”
The Aftermath of 9/11: An Unforgettable Crime Scene
Working at Ground Zero after the 9/11 attacks was unlike anything Butcher had ever experienced.
“When I stood on that pile of rubble, I was overwhelmed,” she says. “There were thousands of lives buried beneath us. Every broken office chair, every picture frame sticking out of the wreckage—it all told a story of someone who was once alive.”
Forensic teams worked tirelessly to identify victims, often using the most minuscule fragments of DNA. “One victim was identified from a tiny piece of bone,” she recalls. “The level of destruction was incomprehensible, but we owed it to the families to bring their loved ones home.”
The Reality of Death Investigations: It’s About the Living
Despite working in the presence of death for decades, Butcher believes her job was ultimately about honoring life.
“Every investigation is about bringing justice, closure, and understanding,” she says. “It’s not just about solving a crime—it’s about giving a voice to those who can no longer speak for themselves.”
Her experiences reveal a world where horror and humanity coexist, where science meets intuition, and where the dead still have stories to tell—if you know how to listen.
