Overview of The Deck: Rosa McMillan (9 of Hearts, North Carolina)
This episode of The Deck examines the 1989 murder of 85-year-old Rosa McMillan in Fayetteville, North Carolina, a case that retired detective Chris Corsione has carried as his “brick” — the unsolved homicide that never left him. The investigation centered on a brutal home invasion, possible sexual assault, and a web of suspects and witnesses that never quite added up cleanly enough for a prosecution.
What Happened to Rosa McMillan
- Rosa McMillan was an elderly grandmother and mother who lived alone in the Massey Hill neighborhood.
- On a summer Sunday in August 1989, family members stopped by her home after noticing something unusual: her porch light was on in the daytime.
- Inside, they found:
- the home ransacked,
- a broken window indicating forced entry,
- Rosa’s body covered with a rug and household items,
- and a fence post from her garden used as the murder weapon.
- Investigators determined that Rosa died from blunt force trauma and had also been beaten and strangled.
- The crime scene suggested a chaotic, disorganized attack rather than a carefully planned robbery.
Evidence and Initial Theory
- Rosa’s purse was still in the home with about $500 cash, making robbery seem unlikely.
- A sexual assault was also suspected, though investigators could not determine whether it happened before or after the killing.
- A small airplane bottle of liquor and a Xanax pill were found in the house, notable because Rosa did not drink or take non-prescribed medication.
- The presence of these items led detectives to believe the offender may have been younger, impaired, or part of a group.
Suspects and Investigative Leads
Harry Klein Lee
- Early investigators focused heavily on Harry Klein Lee, a man already suspected in other assaults on older women in North Carolina.
- His home contained disturbing items, including women’s underwear and a book titled They Don’t Call This Rape.
- However:
- there was no direct physical link to Rosa,
- and later DNA testing ruled him out.
“Larry” and the Group Theory
Detective Corsione’s later theory centered on a different man, referred to as Larry:
- Corsione believed a group of young people in the area may have been using drugs and alcohol that night.
- He suspected one person entered through the broken window and let others in.
- Larry was described as:
- a known burglar,
- someone with a history of violence against women,
- and a person who allegedly matched witness descriptions from the original investigation.
Statements that reinforced suspicion
Corsione collected multiple statements from associates and incarcerated contacts, including claims that Larry:
- had scratches and cuts the morning after the murder,
- said the injuries came from barbed wire near Rosa’s house,
- mentioned breaking into homes with no cars present,
- referenced entering through a side window,
- spoke about killing an older woman,
- and made comments suggesting the crime involved power and sexual violence.
The Black Hat and the Car Photo
- A black hat found near Rosa’s body matched a story about Larry arguing over a borrowed hat.
- Investigators also found a blurry Polaroid near the home.
- At first it seemed like a photo of a car mattered most.
- Later, Corsione believed the real clue was a woman seen in the car’s reflection, whom he identified as Larry’s girlfriend.
DNA: Helpful, But Also Limiting
- DNA testing eventually ruled out both Harry and Larry.
- But the episode emphasizes an important limitation:
- the original testing used up the available swabs entirely,
- leaving no remaining sample for modern DNA methods on that evidence.
- As a result, investigators can’t easily compare the original biological material to today’s databases using newer technology.
- Corsione also tried a long-shot follow-up test on saved applicator sticks and packaging, but that effort failed.
Why the Case Remains Stalled
- Modern prosecutors want stronger forensic proof than investigators could obtain in 1989.
- Corsione believed he had enough witness statements and circumstantial evidence to charge someone, but the DA’s office wanted DNA confirmation tying a suspect to the victim.
- The case is now in a holding pattern because the best original evidence was consumed by early testing.
Family Impact and Emotional Weight
- Rosa’s family described years of shock, disappointment, and unresolved grief.
- Her niece said the family kept hoping for closure, but the pain never really went away.
- Rosa’s daughter, Elaine, shared a poem honoring her mother, underscoring how deeply the loss still affects the family decades later.
- Corsione said the case is especially personal because Rosa was killed on his mother’s birthday, making it impossible for him to forget.
What Happens Next
- Fayetteville Police plan to revive the case with a dedicated cold case unit.
- New Lieutenant Jeff Locklear said evidence may be sent to a private lab for advanced testing.
- Corsione still believes the same suspect — Larry — is the key person of interest, even though the DNA didn’t match.
Key Takeaways
- Rosa McMillan’s murder appears to have been a violent, likely opportunistic home invasion.
- Police ruled out the early DNA suspects, but circumstantial evidence continues to point toward a different suspect and possibly multiple perpetrators.
- The case remains unsolved largely because old forensic methods exhausted the biological evidence that might now be testable.
- The episode highlights both the promise and the frustration of cold-case work: strong leads, compelling witnesses, but no final proof.
Tip Line
If you have information about the murder of Rosa McMillan in Fayetteville, North Carolina, contact:
- Fayetteville Police Department: 910-433-1529
- Fayetteville-Cumberland County Crime Stoppers: 910-483-8477