16. Bad Reputation

The 1997 murder of an ex-con is investigated when the victim's severed hand is discovered during a drug bust. The arrested drug dealer claims he found the ex-con already dead, cut off the hand and disposed of the victim's body. He used the hand to sell fingerprints.

Plot summary and ending

Spoilers ahead. Coverage follows the scope labeled below.

Complete story — includes the ending

The 1997 case of Pete Doyle, an 45-year-old ex-con who went missing after having been released from prison, is reinvestigated when the victim's decomposed severed hand is discovered in a crack house during a drug bust. To solve the case, they must discover if the victim had gotten back to his old habits, or if he was killed trying to protect his estranged son. Song featured in the intro: " Santa Monica ", by Everclear. Song featured in the finale: "Recovering the Satellites", by Counting Crows.

Sources and content license

Source and revision history · Adapted from Wikipedia contributors, Cold Case season 5. HTML formatting and reference markers removed. · Content license