Case Study- The Robert Donald Auker Case

THE ROBERT DONALD AUKER CASE

Background

A 19-year-old Lori Ann Auker went missing in 1989, Northumberland County, Pennsylvania. Her car was found parked in front of the pet store at which she worked. After three weeks of her disappearance, a dead body was recovered in the state of prolonged decay. The body was observed with stab wounds with cloth wearing of a jacket, jeans and sneakers which matched with Lori’s description when she went missing. The unknown body was identified using these information and also with the help of dental records to be Lori Ann Auker.

Robert Donald Auker, Lori’s husband was the prime suspect. He recently moved out of Lori’s house and they were also in the middle of a custody battle during the time Lori disappeared. Even after all these situation going on, Robert recently took a life insurance policy out on her. This rose suspicion on him. Also which raised more suspicion on Robert, Lori’s mother and some of her close friends informed the police that Lori feared Robert of hurting her to gain custody of their son. Moreover, Lori’s the then boyfriend, Malcom Derk, also reported that Lori had suspected Robert of stalking her.

Location

Lori was kidnapped from the Susquehanna Mall parking lot, Northumberland. She was later found dead in decomposing state on the side of a country dirt road.

Evidences

• Witness statements including that of Lori’s mother, close friends, boyfriend and her coworkers where she worked described that Lori feared Robert and that could be the probable cause.

• A 1984 Chevrolet Celebrity car was linked down to Robert and that a witness statement made by Harry Hartman, husband of Robert’s biological mother (Robert was adopted) described Robert thoroughly cleaning the truck on the same day of Lori’s disappearance.

• Hair samples were found in the suspected vehicle which was similar to that of Lori’s. Since her body was found in a decomposing state, the hair samples found was not exactly identical to her hair.

• Surveillance Footage from an ATM photographed a woman matching the appearance of Lori walking from the area her car was parked towards the mall, where she worked.

o In the next photograph, taken 10 seconds later, a vehicle had stopped in front of Lori, blocking her from walking to her destination. In the image, Lori was captured leaning into the open front passenger door of the vehicle, seemingly about to enter the vehicle.

o These were the last frames seen of the woman, who appears to be Lori Auker, or the vehicle, on May 24, the date of Lori's disappearance. These images were used to create a re-enactment, which was then used to compare to the images in sequential order. The images were also clarified and enhanced for a crisper image, and the truck in the second frame appeared to be a Chevrolet Celebrity. This evidence was substantial in proving Robert Donald Auker guilty of the murder of Lori Auker.

Forensic Techniques used for analysis

• Entomologist Dr. K C Kim examined the variety of insect species found in the decomposing corpse. The study of species revealed different states of decomposition that attracted the insects and their relative maturity at that time. Kim succeeded to estimate the time of death. With the help of a weather report from a nearby climate station, Kim tracked down the effects of weather on the development of insects which helped in establishing the post-mortem interval. Kim established that the body’s decomposition period is between 19 to 25 days.

• Odontology was used to establish identity of the decomposed body.

• Digital Image Enhancement which is used by photograph specialists clarified and refined the images taken from the ATM’s surveillance cameras.

Verdict

The case was brought to trial after Robert’s arrest on October 26th, 1995 and on July 31st 1996, it was decided that Robert Donald Auker was guilty. He was convicted of kidnapping and murder and was sentenced to death.

Author:- Srishti Dutta