The case of Pauline “Robbin” Burgett remains one of the most haunting cold cases in Phoenix, Arizona. On March 12, 1978, Robbin, a 16-year-old girl, was brutally murdered in her family’s duplex while home alone. Her mother and younger brother Chad had been away for the weekend, and when Chad returned that evening, he made the horrifying discovery of Robbin’s body in her bedroom.

Key Details of the Crime:

  • Robbin had been sexually assaulted and stabbed multiple times. Her violent murder stunned the local community and led to a large-scale investigation.
  • There were no signs of forced entry, suggesting that Robbin might have known her attacker(s) or had let them into the house willingly. This has led investigators to consider the possibility that her murder was committed by someone familiar to her, though no direct suspect has been identified.
  • Despite the thorough investigation, very few clues were found at the scene. In a time before DNA testing was commonplace, evidence collection was done meticulously, which would later prove useful in the investigation.

The Role of DNA:

One of the most significant breakthroughs in the case came much later, when DNA evidence from the crime scene was analyzed. Investigators were able to create DNA profiles from the biological material found on Robbin’s body. Interestingly, the DNA pointed to the presence of two unknown individuals, suggesting that more than one person may have been involved in the crime.

However, no match has been found for the DNA profiles in existing criminal databases, leaving investigators with an important but incomplete piece of the puzzle. It is unclear whether these individuals were acquaintances of Robbin or complete strangers. The DNA evidence has not yet led to a conclusive identification of the perpetrators.

Theories and Leads:

Robbin’s personal life has been scrutinized as part of the investigation:

  • Boyfriends and acquaintances: The DNA profiles were compared to Robbin’s then-boyfriend, her ex-boyfriends, and a man who had harassed her while she was babysitting. However, these individuals were ruled out as suspects, suggesting the killer(s) might be a more distant acquaintance or someone who had not come under police scrutiny.
  • Possible link to harassment: One theory explored whether a man who harassed Robbin a short time before her death, while she was babysitting, could be connected to her murder. However, no direct evidence linking this man to the crime has been uncovered.

Status of the Case:

Despite advances in forensic technology, including the use of familial DNA techniques that have solved other cold cases, such as the Golden State Killer, Robbin’s murder remains unsolved. Investigators continue to hope that advances in DNA analysis and further database matching will one day provide answers to this enduring mystery. The lack of a clear suspect has kept this case active, and police are still looking for leads from the public that could help bring closure to Robbin’s family.

Conclusion:

The murder of Pauline Robbin Burgett is a chilling cold case involving a young girl brutally murdered in her own home, likely by someone she knew. Despite modern forensic tools and DNA evidence pointing to the involvement of two individuals, the case remains unsolved over 40 years later. Advances in DNA technology hold promise, but without a match, the identity of her killer(s) remains elusive​.