Man Confesses to 30-Year Cold Case Murder, Sentenced to 70 Years

UPDATE: In a shocking twist to a **30-year-old cold case**, **Stephan Smerk**, a **52-year-old** father from **Niskayuna, New York**, has confessed to the **1994 murder** of **Robin Warr Lawrence** in **Springfield, Virginia**. This urgent confession was made on **September 7, 2023**, when Smerk voluntarily approached **Fairfax County Police** to surrender.

Detective **Melissa Wallace** was left stunned as Smerk stated, “I’m at the police department to turn myself in.” The call came as a breakthrough for investigators who had been tirelessly pursuing leads in a case that has haunted Lawrence’s family for decades. Robin, an artist and mother, was brutally murdered in her home, leaving her **2-year-old daughter, Nicole**, alone for two days before the tragedy was discovered.

In an interview aired on **CBS’s “48 Hours,”** Wallace recounted the moment of disbelief and excitement, saying, “A million things start going through my mind,” as the reality of closing the case began to sink in.

For nearly **30 years**, the investigation yielded few leads until advancements in **DNA technology** provided a glimmer of hope. **Parabon NanoLabs**, a DNA technology firm, had initially given the case a **“solvability rate of zero.”** However, volunteer investigator Liz, determined not to give up, worked for three years utilizing **genetic genealogy** to identify Smerk as a suspect.

Upon questioning, Smerk provided his DNA, which matched evidence collected at the crime scene. When confronted, his shocking confession detailed a chilling motivation: “I knew that I was going to kill somebody. I did not know who I was going to kill.”

Smerk, who had a clean record at the time, described himself as “a serial killer who’s only killed once.” His statement has raised eyebrows among experts, with former FBI profiler **Mary Ellen O’Toole** noting that it’s possible for an individual with such impulses to kill only once.

Smerk’s lack of remorse was evident throughout the interrogation. When asked about his feelings towards Robin’s family, he coldly replied, “I don’t feel anything for the family… I feel bad that I did it because I knew someday my personal freedom would be affected.” He ultimately pleaded guilty and was sentenced to **70 years in prison**, with eligibility for parole in **2037**, when he turns **65**.

Robin’s sister, **Mary Warr Cowans**, expressed a mix of relief and sorrow. “It helped to know that a person was found and being held responsible… but it doesn’t bring her back,” she stated, emphasizing the enduring pain of loss. The family now grapples with the shadow of fear that has lingered since the crime, revealing deep emotional scars that will remain.

Authorities have reassured the public that justice has been served, but Smerk’s chilling confession raises questions about the potential for future violence. As Detective **Jon Long** remarked, “That’s like your worst nightmare,” highlighting the community’s collective sigh of relief, yet reminding everyone of the lurking fears that such a case evokes.

The investigation serves as a critical reminder of the advances in forensic science and the relentless pursuit of justice. As this case closes, the impact on Robin’s family remains, with the hope that they can finally find peace after decades of uncertainty.

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.