The Unsolved Murder of Crystallyn Girard: A Mother's Wrongful Conviction and a Cold Case Breakthrough

The Tragic Life of Crystallyn Girard

• 💔 Crystallyn Girard, a 13-year-old seventh grader, was found dead in her bedroom on February 14, 1993, by her mother, Lynn Dejac.
• 😔 Crystallyn endured a difficult childhood, including testifying at age 7 against her adoptive stepfather for sexual abuse, and was forced to mature quickly, often caring for her younger brother.
• 🏠 Her mother, Lynn, struggled with her own issues, including frequent partying and dating, leading to Crystal Lynn often fending for herself and her brother.

The Night of the Murder and Lynn's Conviction

• 🚨 Lynn Dejac had an altercation with her boyfriend, Dennis Donahghue, on the night of February 13, 1993, leading her to leave her children alone while she went to her mother's tavern.
• 🍻 Lynn spent the night bar hopping with an ex-boyfriend, Michael Nicar, while Dennis Donahghue pursued them, escalating to a confrontation where Michael brandished a handgun.
• ⚠️ Lynn returned home around 4:30 a.m. to find Dennis waiting outside, who threatened Michael with a knife before Lynn and Michael went inside, and Lynn checked on her sleeping children.
• 💔 The next afternoon, Lynn discovered Crystallyn's body, naked except for red socks, with scratches from her dog attempting to wake her.
• ⚖️ Despite Lynn's claims that Dennis Donahghue was the killer, police focused on her neglectful behavior and drug use, leading to her arrest and conviction for second-degree murder in 1994.

Cold Case Investigation and Breakthrough

• 🔍 In 2007, cold case detective Dennis Delano, while investigating other cases, noticed commonalities with Dennis Donahghue, including his connection to victims and his birthday coinciding with murder dates.
• 🧬 DNA evidence collected from Crystallyn Girard's murder scene matched Dennis Donahghue, placing him in her bedroom and indicating sexual assault.
• 🗣️ Crucially, a key witness against Lynn, Wayne Hudson, recanted his testimony, admitting Lynn never confessed to strangling her daughter.
• ✅ These developments led to the overturning of Lynn Dejac's conviction in November 2007, and she was released the following day.

Justice and Lingering Questions

• 💥 Dennis Donahghue was later charged and sentenced for the murder of Joan Gambra, another victim with connections to him.
• 🔬 A re-examination of Crystallyn's case by Dr. Michael Bodton suggested cocaine overdose as the cause of death, contradicting the original strangulation finding, leading to the dismissal of charges against Lynn.
• 😔 Lynn Dejac, though freed, was diagnosed with terminal cancer shortly after her release and passed away in 2014, never fully enjoying her $2.7 million settlement for wrongful conviction.
• 🤔 The case leaves lingering questions about the initial investigation's focus on Lynn, the granting of immunity to Dennis Donahghue, and the conflicting findings regarding Crystallyn's cause of death.