Man Confesses to 30-Year-Old Cold Case Murder in Virginia

UPDATE: In a shocking turn of events, Stephan Smerk, a 52-year-old father from Niskayuna, New York, has confessed to the 30-year-old cold case murder of Robin Warr Lawrence, an artist and mother, in Springfield, Virginia. The confession came during a call to Fairfax County Police on September 7, 2023, igniting a flurry of developments in a case that has haunted the community for decades.

Detective Melissa Wallace was taken aback by Smerk’s unexpected admission. “He says, I’m at the police department to turn myself in,” Wallace recounted during an interview with “48 Hours.” This startling statement marked the beginning of the end for a case that left many unanswered questions and a grieving family seeking closure.

Robin Warr Lawrence was brutally murdered in her home in 1994, with her young daughter, just two years old at the time, wandering the house alone for two days before the body was discovered. For nearly three decades, detectives pursued leads but struggled to identify a suspect. “Who would do such a thing? Why?” asked Mary Warr Cowans, Robin’s sister, reflecting on the family’s long search for answers.

The investigation took a significant turn when DNA evidence, previously analyzed without success, was revisited using advanced techniques, including genetic genealogy. A volunteer from the Fairfax County Police Department, identified only as Liz, persevered for three years to trace the DNA to a potential suspect—Smerk, who was living in Virginia at the time of the crime.

Despite initial skepticism, detectives approached Smerk and obtained his DNA, leading to a startling revelation. “I was freaking out,” said Wallace, recalling the moment they learned Smerk’s DNA matched the evidence found at the crime scene. Upon being confronted, Smerk confessed, chillingly stating, “I knew that I was going to kill somebody.”

Smerk’s chilling self-description as “a serial killer who’s only killed once” has raised eyebrows among experts. Former FBI profiler Mary Ellen O’Toole noted that while some individuals may only kill once, the underlying compulsions often persist. “That ideation that led to the murder in the first place would be troubling to me,” she stated.

In a disturbing twist, Smerk expressed no remorse for his actions, saying, “I don’t feel anything for the family.” He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 70 years in prison, with eligibility for parole in 2037.

The family of Robin Warr Lawrence has expressed relief at finally receiving closure but remains haunted by the loss. “It helped to know that a person was found and being held responsible,” Cowans said during Smerk’s sentencing. However, she acknowledged the pain of knowing her sister would never return, reflecting on the fear that lingered for decades.

As the community grapples with the implications of this confession, many are left wondering about the true depths of Smerk’s psyche and the potential for future threats. “He is the boogeyman,” said Detective Jon Long, encapsulating the fears that have gripped the neighborhood since the tragedy.

The broadcast of “Closing the Cold Case of Robin Lawrence” on CBS and Paramount+ promises to shed more light on this gripping story, airing on October 25, 2023, at 10/9c. As new details emerge, the impact of this confession resonates deeply, reminding us all of the fragility of safety in our communities.