Florida witnessed Linda Slaten’s murder in September 1981.

The Case With Paula Zahn: Unthinkable Betrayal on Investigation Discovery tells the story of the horrible r*pe and murder of Linda Slaten, age 31, in Florida in September 1981.

The police waited almost 40 years before they could finally use the forensic reports to find her killer.

Here is everything you need to know about the perpetrator’s identity and where he is now. Let’s find out more about it. 

How Was Linda Slaten Murdered?

Linda Slaten was a single mother of Jeffrey Slaten, who was 15 then, and Timothy Slaten, who was 12 then. 

On September 4, 1981, Judy Butler, Linda’s sister, visited Linda to have their regular Friday morning coffee, which they had enjoyed before Judy’s sister relocated to Lakeland. 

Judy became worried when Linda did not answer the door after many knocks and turned around to discover Linda’s bedroom window screen missing. 

Her sister’s lifeless body was lying on the bed as she glanced inside. She informed The Lakeland Housing Authority’s John Allen, who made a call to 911.

The Investigation For Linda Stalen Murder Began

When the detectives arrived at the site at about 8:30 am, they discovered Linda dead with her dress pushed up from the bottom and down from the top, revealing her private parts.

Her underwear and shoes were all over the floor. She died from strangulation while still having a wire coat hanger wrapped around her neck. 

According to the medical report, she had been s*xually assaulted before being killed. Other than the missing window screen, the detectives found no indications of a struggle in the room.

The officers were searching for a way in because every entry was locked. Judy had the awful realization that her nephews, who were both minors, were also there.

When police entered the home through a window, they discovered both boys asleep in their separate bedrooms.

The case fell cold because the Lakeland Police Department was unable to make a breakthrough that would help them identify the criminal after exhausting all possibilities and all leads. 

Linda’s boys occasionally stopped by the station to inquire about the latest developments, but no leads were found. 

Who Was Linda Slaten’s Murderer? The Police Got A Breakthrough

In November 2018, the police had a breakthrough when they turned to the cutting-edge forensic science technique known as genetic genealogy.

Joseph, Timothy’s football coach at the time, who was then in his 20s, found him a suspect.

His prints matched those taken at the crime scene as well. 

The Lakeland Police Department detained him on December 12, 2018, and charged him with first-degree murder, burglary, and S*xual battery.

Joseph first pretended to be unaware of the crime when questioned in September 1981 and said he had only ever met Linda once. 

But after being taken into custody, he claimed he had approached her at her request to make love. 

He further asserted that Linda passed away while engaging in consenting intercourse and already had the hanger around her neck.

Prosecutors refuted his assertions by offering proof that the interaction was not S*xual.

Where is Joseph Clinton Mills Today?

In February 2022, Joseph, 61, admitted to killing the single mother and S*xually assaulting her. 

He was therefore spared the death penalty and given a life sentence without the chance of parole. 

According to official court records, he is incarcerated at the Reception and Medical Center in Union County, Florida.