On Memorial Day weekend in 2011, a quiet Florence, Kentucky neighborhood became the site of one of Northern Kentucky’s most disturbing unsolved crimes.

William “Bill” Stephenson and his wife Peggy were found murdered inside their condominium on Ridge Edge Court after family members became concerned when the couple failed to appear for church services.

But what investigators discovered inside the home raised more questions than answers.

After the killings, the person responsible remained inside the residence for hours — moving furniture, manipulating items throughout the house, and staging parts of the scene in ways detectives described as deeply unusual.

Despite the brutality and the bizarre crime scene, investigators recovered something crucial: DNA.

That genetic profile was entered into the FBI’s CODIS database in 2012 and continues to be searched today.

More than a decade later, the case remains unsolved.

In this episode of Buried in the Bluegrass, we examine:

• The lives of Bill and Peggy Stephenson • The strange and disturbing crime scene investigators encountered • The multi-state investigation that followed • The DNA evidence that detectives believe could solve the case • The involvement of the Vidocq Society and behavioral analysts • And what newly obtained public records reveal about the current status of the investigation

This episode is based on reporting, public records, and documents obtained through the Kentucky Open Records Act.

If you have information about this case, contact the Boone County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 859-334-8496.

Case Information

Victims: William “Bill” Stephenson (74) Peggy Stephenson (74)

Location: Florence, Kentucky

Date of Crime: May 29, 2011

Status: Unsolved – Assigned to Boone County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit

Sources

Boone County Sheriff’s Office Open Records Release – Stephenson Investigation (March 2, 2026)

Kentucky State Police Forensic Laboratory Report

WCPO Cincinnati – I-Team reporting on the Stephenson case

NKyTribune reporting on the investigation

Boone County Sheriff’s Office press releases and case summaries

Vidocq Society documentation related to the 2012 case consultation

Podcast Information

Buried in the Bluegrass Investigating Kentucky’s cold cases, unsolved crimes, and forgotten stories.

Produced by Ole Gerg Media

Sources & Methodology Note

This episode is based on a comprehensive review of official records and primary-source documentation related to the disappearance of Kevin Lee Jackson.

Sources reviewed include, but are not limited to:

• Frankfort Police Department incident reports and supplements
• Initial Missing Persons Report and CAD / call sheets
• Search warrants, affidavits, and seizure returns (served and unserved)
• Consent-to-search forms and Miranda warning documentation
• Kentucky State Police call logs and records
• Financial, digital, and social media subpoena returns
• DNA submission and confirmation records (NamUs / UNTCHI / CODIS)
• Family-provided documentation and correspondence
• Court and custody-related records referenced in law enforcement files
• Jessica Anne YouTube Video https://youtu.be/s7RH_em3JL8?si=sR02SaEvOAlo1bH4
• Murder Police Podcast https://youtu.be/UuAAPUKl9L4?si=K9OWoi_sJ0zfqsho

All dates, locations, and procedural descriptions are drawn directly from these records unless otherwise stated.

Important Clarifications

• No individual has been charged or convicted in connection with this case.
• Statements attributed to witnesses or third parties are clearly identified as reported, hearsay, or unverified, consistent with how they are labeled in police records.
• Allegations contained in affidavits or tips are presented for context only and not as established fact.
• Where records conflict or contain gaps, those discrepancies are noted rather than resolved through speculation.

Editorial Standards

This episode intentionally avoids:

• Naming uncharged individuals as suspects
• Repeating graphic or sensational allegations
• Inferring motive where none has been established
• Treating rumor as evidence

The goal is accuracy, transparency, and accountability—not conclusions unsupported by proof.

Ongoing Case

Kevin Lee Jackson remains missing. Relevant records indicate the case is administratively inactive but not closed. DNA reference samples remain on file for ongoing comparison against unidentified remains.

Tip Information

Anyone with firsthand information related to Kevin Lee Jackson’s disappearance is encouraged to contact the appropriate law enforcement agency. This podcast does not collect tips directly.

Buried in the Bluegrass — Episode 1

Linda Marie Rutledge: Solved After 27 Years

On a November morning in 1998, Lexington firefighters responded to what appeared to be a routine business fire. Inside the Nixon Hearing Aid Center, they discovered a woman dead in a hallway.

Her name was Linda Marie Rutledge.

For nearly three decades, her murder remained unsolved. There were no arrests, no public suspects, and very little information released. But the case was never closed.

In this episode of Buried in the Bluegrass, we examine how evidence preserved for 27 years—one shell casing and one DNA profile—eventually connected Linda’s murder to a violent offender in another state. Using modern forensic science, investigators finally identified the person responsible, long after he had died.

This episode is not about sensationalism. It’s about patience, persistence, and what “solved” really means when justice comes too late for a courtroom.

In This Episode

• The 1998 fire that led to a homicide investigation
• How Linda Rutledge’s case quietly stayed open for decades
• The role of modern ballistics and DNA analysis
• How two crimes, decades apart and states away, were connected
• What closure looks like when there is no arrest

Case Details

• Victim: Linda Marie Rutledge, age 43
• Location: Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky
• Date: November 7, 1998
• Status: Solved in 2025 (suspect deceased)

Sources & Reporting

This episode was researched using publicly available records and official statements from:

• Lexington Police Department
• Kentucky State Police
• Forensic and ballistic evidence summaries released by law enforcement

No speculation or unofficial theories were used.

About the Show

Buried in the Bluegrass is an independent investigative podcast focused on Kentucky cases involving missing persons, unsolved homicides, and long-silent investigations. Each episode is built on verified facts, public records, and accountability—not rumors.

Coming Up

In future episodes, we’ll examine cases where that resolution never came—and ask why.

If you have information related to an unsolved Kentucky case, please contact your local law enforcement agency.

New episodes available wherever you listen to podcasts.