Killer Genes: The Murder of Rhonda "Chantay" Blankinship

In this episode, we dive into the haunting murder of Rhonda “Chantay” Blankinship, whose tragic fate would remain a mystery for over a year. Chantay’s disappearance seemed like an ordinary missing persons case, but what unfolded would leave the small town of Brownwood, Texas, reeling. Her body was found in an abandoned house, brutally beaten and left for dead, but the question remained: Who would do this to someone so loved by all?

What initially appeared to be a case of a random abduction quickly turned into a complex investigation with twists and turns, including an unlikely forensic breakthrough. With DNA phenotyping as the key to unlocking the case, investigators were able to generate a digital image of the killer—a face made from genetic clues—giving the community something they hadn't had in 18 months: a suspect.

The twist? The killer was someone familiar to the victim, someone who had been part of the search, someone who had even attended her funeral. As investigators close in, the startling truth about the motive and the killer's confession unfolds in ways no one could have predicted.

Join us as we explore this chilling case and the cutting-edge science that finally brought justice for Chantay. This episode delves into the power of DNA and how it transformed this cold case into a story of shocking discovery and ultimate closure.

 

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Background music by Brad Parsons at Train Sound Studio. Art for the podcast was created by Kelly Steen. 

​WILDCIDE Podcast and any content posted is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions. 

References:

Bradshaw, N. (2019, February 17). Mother of murdered Brownwood woman forgives daughter's killer. KTXS. Retrieved from https://ktxs.com/news/local/mother-of-murdered-brownwood-woman-forgives-daughters-killer

NBC News. (2023, October 6). The haunted house confession (Season 31, Episode 2) [Audio podcast episode]. In Dateline NBC. https://www.podcastworld.io/episodes/the-haunted-house-confession-kvdy5je4

Parabon NanoLabs. (n.d.). Murder of Rhonda “Chantay” Blankinship. Retrieved March 31, 2025, from https://snapshot.parabon-nanolabs.com/snapshot-case-summary--lake-brownwood-tx--chantay-blankinship-murder.html

Starnes, J. (2019). Snapshot of a killer. The Texas Prosecutor, September–October 2019. Texas District & County Attorneys Association. Retrieved from https://www.tdcaa.com/journal/snapshot-of-a-killer/