The "Unsolvable" Cold Case // Robin Lawrence
From Military Murder by Mama Margot Productions LLC
March 9, 2026 · 31 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the long-unsolved murder of Robin Lawrence and the eventual identification of her killer, Stephan Smerk, through DNA evidence and forensic advancements.
In 1994, Robin Lawrence was murdered by an intruder with violence on his mind. But Robin fought back. In her final moments, she clawed at her attacker, leaving behind critical DNA evidence that would one day help identify her killer. What investigators didn’t know then was that justice would take decades. Through persistent police work, advances in forensic science, and the dedication of a volunteer genetic genealogist determined to give Robin’s family answers, the case was finally solved. And when the suspect was confronted, a guilty conscience did the rest. Join Margot as she walks you through the long-awaited resolution of the cold case murder of Robin Lawrence, and the eventual identification of her killer, Stephan Smerk, a former soldier assigned to Fort Myer–Henderson Hall in Arlington, Virginia. ⸻ 🎧Did you know you could listen to this episode ad-free? Join the True Crime Army Club! Visit patreon.com/militarymurder to view the current membership options! ⸻ Check out today’s sponsor! Quince: Visit quince.com/militarymama for free shipping and 365 day returns! Gusto: Visit gusto.com/MMP for 3 free months of payroll! ⸻ Military Murder is a military true crime podcast that…
People in this episode
Host: Margot
Topics covered
- cold case
- murder
- forensic science
- genetic genealogy
- justice
- military crime
Keywords
- cold case
- Robin Lawrence
- Stephan Smerk
- forensic science
- genetic genealogy
- murder
- military true crime
Sponsors
Quince, Gusto
Mentioned in this episode
Places: Fort Myer–Henderson Hall, Arlington, Virginia
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