Shivangi Sinha
In December 1988, Cathy Swartz was found dead in her home in Three Rivers, Mississippi, by her fiancé, Mike Warner. Inside the house was her 9-month-old daughter, Courteney, who was unharmed. Investigators explored multiple suspects and leads, but the case remained unsolved for decades. It wasn’t until 2023 that authorities arrested the alleged killer, Robert Waters. ABC’s ‘20/20’ episode, ‘The Code Breakers,’ takes an in-depth look at the case and the critical evidence that finally provided answers.
Robert Waters’ DNA Allegedly Linked Him to Cathy Swartz’s Crime Scene
In 1988, 18-year-old Robert Odell Waters was living in St. Joseph County, Michigan. He had attended Mendon High School, where he first met Cathy Swartz, though the two were not known to be close friends. In November of that year, he allegedly visited Cathy at her home in Three Rivers, Michigan. On December 2, 1988, Cathy’s partner, Mike Warner, discovered her stabbed and beaten in their home, and it started an investigation. Police recovered a bloody fingerprint on the phone and a footprint in the bathroom. Cathy’s 9-month-old daughter, Courteney, was also in the house but was unharmed and appeared to have been cared for.
The case remained unsolved for decades, but in 2022 it was reopened for investigation. With major advancements in DNA technology, detectives partnered with an independent company to re-examine the DNA evidence collected from the crime scene. While there were no direct matches in the national database, investigators used forensic genetic genealogy to narrow the search. By comparing it to publicly available family trees, they were able to trace it back to the Waters family, and eventually focused on Robert and his three brothers. One by one, the brothers were ruled out, leading authorities to the former.
At the time, Robert was living in Beaufort, South Carolina, where he owned a successful plumbing business with his wife and children. He had never faced any criminal charges and maintained a clean record throughout his life and was even active in the religious community. When approached by investigators, Robert showed no hesitation in cooperating with the police. Detectives informed him that his DNA had been found at the crime scene as well as on Cathy, but he denied ever knowing her and immediately demanded a lawyer. Despite his claims, the forensic confirmation was enough for authorities to charge him with homicide.
Robert Waters Took His Own Life While Awaiting Trial
Robert Waters was being held in South Carolina and was scheduled to be transferred to the St. Joseph County Jail to await trial. However, on May 6, 2023, he was found dead in his prison cell. Reports stated that he had hanged himself using a sheet from the top bunk of his bed at the Beaufort County Detention Center. Guards discovered several Bible-based pamphlets on a table in his cell that focused on forgiveness and redemption. He was not on suicide watch at the time and had no diagnosed mental health conditions. Following his death, Cathy’s case was officially closed. During the hearing, the judge noted that Robert might have taken his own life out of guilt, though he was never formally proven guilty in a court of law.
Read More: Cathy Swartz Murder Details and Investigation Timeline
