218 - The Murder of Leslie Zaret

[@elizabethmcglothlin5406]

Thank you for using real words instead of the euphemisms that so many have resorted to. I know this is a sensitive subject, but I feel a trigger warning is enough. (And if you're easily triggered, why watch true crime? No shame to watch architecture or animals instead.) For myself, if these women can endure terrible things, I can certainly endure a respectful recounting of the circumstances.

[@lilyt18]

Well said.

[@WideAwakeHuman]

KZbin tends to demonetize videos if certain words are used and reported which is why some creators silence them out or use euphemisms.

[@elizabethmcglothlin5406]

@@WideAwakeHuman I know, but seems extreme considering the things people ARE allowed to say.

[@Mimi-hn6iv]

​@@elizabethmcglothlin5406 it is extreme, but KZbin still does it.

[@automatoncollectives7237]

Leslie was fresh

[@Jais-u7y]

Thank you for telling the truth

[@crikker9447]

Someone knew her “specific” walk to her home

[@maramarxx2431]

Súper-agree.

[@sonnyandreotte5721]

I can say thank you For keeping the memory Of these people alive Without sensationalized Content.

[@TheDriftwoodlover]

Very sad her killer hasn’t been brought to justice

[@Dr.Gunsmith]

Regardless of whoever did this he absolutely has other victims, pure monster.

[@j.khuster2024]

And dumbass women will always be a victim because they are just stupid and think everyone is good out there. If you get abducted and killed... your fault. Don't get yourself in the danger to begin with because once you're in danger... probably too late for ya. Stop dressing slutty, walking around at night alone, getting plastered acting like your invincible................. Stupidity will get you killed these days and nobody cares. Just remember that.

[@wosec]

I am wondering what Dexter would do with softie

[@calvinengle2020]

This man's wife 100% knows aswell there is no way he wouldn't try to insert foreign items into her when his e.d was acting up and made him frustrated

[@911KittyResQ]

Coming from an assault victim, I can say THANK YOU for calling the suspect Softie! It distracted from something that had the potential to be overwhelmingly triggering. Thank you for giving a voice to us victims. Keep up the good work!

[@RamoArt]

"key punch operator at IBM" what a blast from the past

[@MarcyK13]

I’ve got to say I really enjoyed this video. I feel like this Gorgeous Young Woman’s tragic story was told with respect , couth and dignity. But what I REALLY want to know is why in hell is “Mr. Softies” name protected? If he pled guilty and was convicted of the S.A. Of the first girl, than why can’t his name be exposed to the public???

[@YancyTheDancingTurtle]

If Mr. Pacheco doesn't want to say it, then he doesn't want to say it! GET OVER IT!

[@stephaniek1076]

I would guess it's to protect the integrity of THIS case, since it's still pending, and that "Softie" is a person of interest and there's not yet enough evidence to indict.

[@jamesbowman6925]

Maybe someone could scour New York newspapers from 74 and find a mention of the other sexual assault case; that might contain a name.

[@elizabethter-sahakyan6692]

You have a healthy baby girl, raise her for 17 years with love, giving all you have, all your hopes are connected with her...and then some psycho takes her in min for his pleasure...😢😢😢

[@LadyGreyBlack]

Sadly, that is one of the risks which come with raising children. Visit a cemetery, and you will come across stones which tell the stories of children who died from accidents, diseases which had no cures in the 1800s and 1900s, and sadly, murder.

[@dragoncult666]

Wtf?! Only 17 months for rape and sodomy. Murdered a lovely girl with her life ahead of her. Sickening to know that pos is living his life carefree.

[@tessaducek5601]

It is absolutely amazing he got that. Sexual assault is usually not a punishable offense prior to 00s.. And that is only due to social media.

[@JanieDuVall]

I was just thinking of Leslie this past week since we were good friends and it just has been so haunting that someone got away with this. We didn’t hang out with each other for a while before it happened since we had a different set of friends at that time. Praying the person who did it would be convicted.

[@LannieLord]

Please please post more details on your friendship . What was the difference between your set of friends? I'm gonna guess- one liked to "party" more ? Also did you know the bar she went into ? Thank you !! Did you ever go to MOVIES or CONCERTS together ? Can you name them ? I am fascinated by all facets of culture and things from BROOKLYN/ QUEENS in this era -- I moved away a few years BEFORE this happened. Did you go to the funeral ? Thanks

[@redmouse1967]

Mr. Softy. I love you for that! 😂

[@libbiparkerlott8763]

RIP Leslie; is that her in the younger uniform photo? She looks older than 17. But my 83 year old Mama has a photo of herself at age 12 and she looks grown.

[@maramarxx2431]

Yes our grandmas people looked more mature (were? Also ) before. Imagine them in front of a millenial

[@purofan1754]

The younger uniform photo is Joanne Jaffe.

[@cadillacdeville5828]

I'm happy you uploaded. You have a great channel.

[@loredanadincu4300]

At your stupid comment. Is a job fir them in case you didn't realised it. They have seen enough and are desensitized. Secondly you don't even know from where that photo is. It may be from another case or from a damn movie.

[@LeslieSunshine17]

🎉Absolutely!

[@jeromeburdine966]

Great to see new videos lately!!

[@udhdbdjxisskka]

disturbing case

[@Cheryltwin2012]

Oh, you have to love the 70's (I was a teenager in '74), when a girl would walk 26 blocks on a hot day in a long-sleeved shirt and wearing platform heels. Leslie was certainly a lovely girl and her photos epitomize that mid-70's aesthetic. She had loving parents and a good home. It was a far more innocent time, a time when even the straightest, most upright kids drank a little beer and smoked a little pot. Love that you call the suspect Mr. Softee. The sound of those ice cream trucks were also a staple of quiet neighborhoods in the 70's. Loved this video. Your narration was good and there was none of that annoying background music that often is louder than the narration.

[@LannieLord]

Wow. You sound like a 70s-a-holic like me. I love that ERA so much. And the world today is pretty much OPPOSITE what the 1970s were - it's TRAGIC It was "Go Ask Alice" and The Brady Bunch all wrapped up in a cloud . The horrors of the world were only glimpsed thru a grainy film clip on the 6 o'clock news . But then it was over and The Partridge Family was on. P.S. Just curious: did you go to CONCERTS back then ?? I like more obscure bands from the 1970s. MOST peoples "first concerts" are boring (Beach Boys, Bread, Billy Joel, Rolling Stones, John Denver , etc.) (I am NOT a Rolling Stones fan at all) . THANKS !!!!!!!!!!

[@Cheryltwin2012]

@@LannieLord I came of age in the 70s so that's where most of my best childhood memories are. Yes, I went to concerts back then, even though many of them were in clubs I was technically too young to get into (legal drinking age was 19 then). Saw REO Speedwagon a number of times just because I grew up in Central Illinois, where most of the band was from. I saw another "local" act, Dan Fogelberg, a couple times too.

[@MidnightVentures]

I would have just used this monsters real name. Somebody should research this and post his name.

[@Rgeternal]

The case is messed up but I crack up every time he says Mr. Softie 😂😂

[@marklittler784]

You'd think the only person to fold clothes up would be a victim forced under duress to remove them surely

[@denniswhite6013]

Please bring back the creepy background music. Makes the stories much more interesting to listen too

[@rhondamcewananderson3968]

So well done, thanks so much 🙂

[@emo_penguin420]

Thank you for giving me a much needed chuckle with your nickname of Mr. Softy 😅

[@Suzibird307]

@9:15 WTH could that cop possibly be smiling about??????

[@rickimhotep1236]

He broke wind?

[@Suzibird307]

@@girlofthealpines Just thinking about how the parents must feel to see a pic like that.

[@houseofsolomon2440]

@@rickimhotep1236 ☑️

[@skelter1153]

How do YOU know he's not crying?!

[@Suzibird307]

@@skelter1153 1. Because I have eyeballs & 2. He's a NYC detective. They are usually not known for crying at crime scenes.

[@avnrulz8587]

Wow, I grew up on the other end of Springfield Blvd.

[@skelter1153]

Springfeel.

[@marialauria7307]

I am hoping your graphic language and description of coincidences will jog the memory of other victims and acquaintances of the perpetrator

[@valeriehamilton6186]

I been missing episodes been so busy catching up this week ❤😊

[@marklittler784]

Best sticking to routes overseen by buildings and passing traffic

[@frugalwitch]

If the hairbrush is still in evidence story couldn’t the hairs be tested for DNA in case the brush belonged to the killer?

[@frugalwitch]

Storage not story

[@ilznidiotic]

In the other girl's case, he used her own comb. Also, men tend to use combs, not hairbrushes; the brush was almost certainly Leslie's.

[@LannieLord]

In the 1970s it was "chic" for a gal to carry a comb or brush in her back pocket . Did she carry a purse or a handbag ? The brush would be in her handbag - most likely . 99% sure the brush would have been hers.

[@LeslieSunshine17]

🎉So glad you are back and are putting out all these detailed and thorough cases. Thank you!

[@skierkawilk9859]

9:14 laughing policeman at the scene ..

[@nicolettacarlone8150]

So tragic 😢 So upset that this monster has gotten away with this all these years after he stole her life.

[@tommytwostep9753]

Maybe Softie is a connected guy. Wasn't the club she was last seen in essentially a front for the mob? He was cocky and confident and knows there is nothing that can touch him.

[@grapeshot]

Yeah Queens is known for its many cemeteries and graveyards.

[@bethwasserman2882]

The CEO of J.P. Morgan Chase grew up in Queens.

[@tessaducek5601]

I wonder if touch DNA on clothing would be present. I imagine they already tested what they could. It is disgusting that some twisted sadist that thinks women are for his dysfunctional pleasure was able to escape any type of consequences. He is not the first. And far from the last.

[@judiboldery1371]

It can nowadays, not before though

[@tessaducek5601]

@@judiboldery1371 That's what I meant. If they still had the items and not contaminated. Its amazing that many departments collected and stored evidence nicely. And others tossed it or stored potential evidence shoddily. It would be really nice to see this slug convicted. 😉

[@marklittler784]

​@@tessaducek5601 How on earth could it be accidently contaminated with his DNA though beats me.

[@marklittler784]

You would think if someone with jewellery especially necklaces and even possibly rings you could likely obtain DNA off them and they're not items family are likely to dispose of.

[@tessaducek5601]

@@marklittler784 Really ? If they have an item with possible DNA and it has not become CONTAMINATED over time . Unsealed bag, water, etc. It has been reported to happen with items not securely stored.

[@marklittler784]

Didn't obtain a **"FULL*"". profile from her finger nails implies they obtained a partial one though.

[@Lizzie-h3j]

I'm sure they can now replicate a full profile now from partial DNA profiles so let's hope there's enough to do that and this monster finally gets what's coming to him.

[@CowSaysMooMoo]

How do they do all that work to get the body exhumed and NOT get either tooth root or DNA from other known strong areas that yield DNA

[@marklittler784]

@@CowSaysMooMoo Maybe it was the perpetrators DNA they were looking for

[@CowSaysMooMoo]

@@marklittler784 you must be right......i wasnt thinking it thru

[@DeeMontezx1]

The picture of the smiling investigator at the crime scene, not good.

[@katiealdana2964]

Such a sad case. I hope this gets solved and that she and her family get justice. I grew up in Flushing, my grandparents lived in Bayside...this happened many years prior to my formative years there, but it's scary how close to home this was. Great narration as always--thanks for the content!

[@inblockchainwetrust]

Awesome another upload! Your really cranking them out! Keep up the great work 👍

[@katerryjackson749]

🤣🤣🤣Mr. Softie

[@terriamundsen3598]

I still remember the morning my mom asked me if I knew her...and was horrified when I heard it was Leslie. Heartbreaking that after all these years, it's still a Cold Case. If he's still in New York State, wouldn't he be registered as a Sex Offender?? So why not print the name? Rest in Peace, sweet Leslie.

[@jdbambara7595]

Thx👍⚖

[@bethwasserman2882]

Why wasnt the cup Softie left behind examined for DNA? Why wasnt her exhumed body examined for semen, etc? Why arent the fingernail scrappings resubmitted now to Othrum Labs etc?

[@calebwilliams7092]

Extremely disappointed with you on this one. The name should be released, like any other case where a known sexual offenders name is released. Regardless if he murdered this young women, he did in fact sexually assault another.

[@gNome_5]

Why can't you tell us the name of the man who pleaded guilty to the r-pe of the young lady who had gotten away-the same one who used a comb as an instrument to inflict pain? Shouldn't that be public information? Jw

[@Jais-u7y]

Yes I know that area well sheust have known him that she got in his. Car he probably couldn't get it up so he strangled her

[@MarioV73]

I agree that Mr. Softy is a very strong suspect here. However, although the episode does state numerous times that Leslie's killer must have been familiar with the access to the fenced-off PS203 body dump site, not once was it mentioned that Mr. Softy was linked to that site. Can anyone place Mr. Softy to that school, specifically him knowing how to access the locked area after hours? Was Mr. Softy present at any of those late night teenage parties there? Did he take any of his dates there? Not sure why this potential connection was not mentioned in the episode. Also, this is way out there, but maybe it was not Mr. Softy who killed Leslie. Instead, someone living in the vicinity of Public School 203 who was fed up with all those late night teenage parties and police not doing anything about it. So, this neighboring resident to PS203 chose to sacrifice an innocent random victim to bring the night life at this site to public eye via a shocking crime.

[@marklittler784]

Remember once they got dna off the underneath of ceiling tiles a dead suspect had fitted years earlier.

[@RepentfollowJesus]

What is with long island?

[@soalegria1971]

Meaning ?

[@memyselfandid]

A lot of people equals the higher probability of murders and murderers

[@Dude0000]

@@serenethoughts921 no it isn’t, far from it. Most murders are in 4 county’s in the entire country, all in NY, LA and Chicago.

[@changeofattitude8781]

@@Dude0000 The U.S is absolutely a violent gun obsessed country. Mass shootings are practically a daily occurrence . Pull your head out of the sand 🙄

[@serwombles8816]

I'm not American so am not sure what is meant by "blocks"' in terms of distance?

[@PsychologyGeek76]

A block is the length of the street you are walking on. So the street you live on (with all the houses and stores) is considered one block. Once you cross the street you start a new block (even if it's the same street). I'm sorry, I hope I didn't confuse you more.

[@serwombles8816]

@@PsychologyGeek76 Ah I see so it's quite close. What if it's a very long street?

[@thing_under_the_stairs]

@@serwombles8816 Some blocks are longer than others, and it varies by city.

[@thebewitchinghour831]

It always amazes me how these guys that do this stuff are already in a relationship or married and appear to live normal lives to the point where their spouses have no idea of the torment they have created outside of the household. What irritates me the most is when outsiders like to blame the wives of these demons. That's just wrong.

[@mannygrossman]

There could be a David Berkowitz connection to this case.

[@NeverendingSaga]

No shot

[@Jais-u7y]

What was she doing out at that hour where where her parents ???

[@cynthiagibson6793]

Can't they test the hairs of the brush?

[@suegalvin3020]

How could he Only get 18 Months👹👹👹👹☠️☠️☠️☠️

[@danjohnson887]

Here to support the algorithm by posting a positive review.... Loves ya Stephen?!!!!!

[@marialauria7307]

What a brave woman

[@GenXfrom75]

I'm so sorry, Leslie. And I'm sad for the family, never getting answers or justice ⚖️... Hopeful the day will come. 😢

[@RepentfollowJesus]

There but for the grace of God go i. I was 16. Narrowly got out with my life in 79.

[@Jais-u7y]

Things were bad back then so it doesn't come as any surprise to me

[@garrieleepeck8753]

Poor women horrible way to die

[@MrJSabas]

How nice that we must protect Mr. Softie's name...

[@mrsbird2952]

Justice is coming Mr.Softy eventually!

[@eddie20307]

Buggered with a hairbrush...the poor girl...

[@devinisdead4061]

Softy 😂😂😂😂

[@enriquemireles8947]

The only thing about softy is that they claimed he would attack and tear clothes off. And it is stated her clothes were neatly stacked close to her. I don’t think an animal such as this guy would take the time to fold clothes. So I would think the killer had a gun, asked to undress In which she took as much time as possible. There the police are correct that it probably happened some where else. So if softy owns a Gun maybe he felt her striping would allow him the time he needed. Also the did the boyfriend ever see softy at that bar, and did Leslie smoke pot?

[@JabberJawz.]

I miss the music. 😢

[@EricaMerica86]

Rex Humerman?

[@thecatatemyhomework]

The cemetery is pronounced Heb-ron, not Heeb-ron.

[@anthonytrischitta9968]

Softie that’s wicked awesome

[@suerichards47]

What gives a male monster the right to take such a beautiful girl?

[@TheRoadhammer379]

What does sex have to do with it? My bad, females never kill, right?

[@starkravingralph]

Who has the right to determine who is "beautiful?" She's a human, 'nuf said.

[@suerichards47]

@@starkravingralph all of us are beautiful 🤩

[@howdareyouexist]

@@suerichards47 no

[@Dude0000]

Nobody, that’s why it’s been investigated as a crime..

[@Jais-u7y]

He was a scumbag but why did she get into his car and buy drugs ??

[@YancyTheDancingTurtle]

The Long Island Killer has been caught. Its not Softie

[@knittielynnie]

They didn't rely on DNA from the hairbrush because they couldn't be sure that it was hers. I wonder if they tried to find the car Softy was driving at that time. I know it's a long shot, but it's a string I would have pulled. I'd also talk to the ex-wife. If he really couldn't get it up without object penetration and strangulation, then did that happen in their marriage, why did they divorce, and what does she know about his past dating habits.

[@Platinumally]

Softy!!!!!!!!!! Well deserved!

[@wildgr33n]

lmfao mr softy

[@brianallison1913]

GD the hairbrush part made me feel like vomiting.

[@barbarabrooks4747]

Parents need to be cited for allowing their teens to behave this way. When this kind of behavior is tolerated, criminals can get away with murder.

[@tessaducek5601]

It is so irritating that these punks then and now have no respect for property. Even many so called adults today throw trash where ever. Beaches are disgusting now. I do agree. When kids are able to just go and hang out much of this is on the parents. I believe when children cause damage, harrass or harm others then parents hold much responsibility for their actions.

[@bethwasserman2882]

This looks like the sam.e place Heffrey Baton died at.

[@SassyNurse008]

Was softie convicted of rape for victim number 1 ?

[@Col92015]

Softy😂

[@NeverendingSaga]

Stop being repetative

[@RawheadRex-co2gd]

Zaret sounds like Fart to me. Zart fart.

[@ubercomrade]

You vulcher for profit

[@Calaveraqueen24]

who

[@sarahholland2600]

True Crime isn't exploitative if done with respect: & often highlights cases that were mishandled or need revisiting. Oh & this guy narrating, was a crime journalist & had a relative murdered himself, so he knows about trauma & crime.

[@grandmufftwerkin9037]

Congratulations; you viewing and commenting helps support this channel. 🙃

[@GalCharlotteOG]

*vulture

[@Galaxie08]

Okay troll. Now move on; bye bye. 👋

[@starkravingralph]

The excessive use of "Softie" is annoying AF. Omg.

[@Dr.Gunsmith]

Oh shut up Softie 😂

[@starkravingralph]

@@Dr.Gunsmith Nah, it's annoying AF.

[@YancyTheDancingTurtle]

Take a shot every time he says "Softie"

[@starkravingralph]

@@YancyTheDancingTurtle I'd be in liver failure by like...third-minute in. Lol