Mary Catherine Edwards Texas: The decades-long mystery surrounding the murder of Mary Catherine Edwards, a beloved schoolteacher from Beaumont, Texas, will be highlighted in an upcoming episode of CBS’s 48 Hours, airing tomorrow at 10/9c. The episode will detail the tireless efforts and cutting-edge advancements in DNA technology that finally brought justice for Edwards and her family after nearly 25 years of unanswered questions.

Mary Catherine Edwards was tragically found murdered in her Beaumont home in 1995. For years, investigators had few leads and no suspects, and the case remained cold until advancements in forensic science offered new hope. In a gripping narrative, 48 Hours will reveal how genetic genealogy and persistent police work led to the arrest of Clayton Foreman, a former high school classmate of Edwards who had been living a free life for decades.

Detectives Brandon Bess and Aaron Lewallen, instrumental in solving the case, recall how the Beaumont Police Department, along with collaboration from Othram Labs, utilized new DNA techniques to crack the case. These methods, which go beyond traditional DNA matching by using hundreds of thousands of genetic markers, helped build a comprehensive profile of the killer. Othram’s groundbreaking technology allowed investigators to piece together a complex family tree and pinpoint Foreman as a suspect.

Detective Lewallen and his wife, Tina, spent countless hours connecting genetic dots, combing through more than 7,000 potential matches. With relentless determination and door-to-door DNA collection, the team narrowed the list down to two possible suspects. A crucial break came when Ohio investigators performed a “trash pull” at Foreman’s home, confirming his DNA as a match to the evidence collected at the crime scene.

In a dramatic moment during their interrogation, Foreman denied any connection to Edwards, despite the undeniable DNA evidence. Although he refused to confess, his arrest marked a turning point in the long, painful journey for justice. The trial that followed featured compelling testimonies, including accounts from Foreman’s previous victim, and ended with a quick jury decision to sentence him to life imprisonment.

Mary Catherine’s twin sister, Allison, shared with the court how deeply the loss has affected their family but emphasized their relief in finally seeing justice served. While the pain endures, the resolution brings a sense of closure that the Edwards family has waited decades to experience.

Tune in to 48 Hours for an in-depth look at the Mary Catherine Edwards case, a story of perseverance, cutting-edge science, and the unwavering dedication of investigators who never gave up.