Forensic Files - Season 12, Episode 22 - Brotherly Love - Full Episode

In 1969, 25-year-old phone operator Diane Maxwell is raped and murdered. Her brother promised he'd find out who was responsible and bring the killer to justice.
Forensic Files is the longest-running true crime series in television history. Evidence and interviews with experts help solve real crimes, disease outbreaks and accidents around the world.
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Click here to watch full episodes from Forensic Files - Season 12:
• Forensic Files - Seaso...

[@bertharuiz1225]

So glad victim’s father was still alive to hear about findings.

[@rhainaweissehexe3899]

Yes 🥀

[@youngdkout]

That man is stupid left her tied up

[@ericerto8250]

Got to love Peter Thomas died at the ripe age of 91 in 2016. He has got a legendary voice. He has helped millions go to sleep at night listening to him narrate.

[@muffs55mercury61]

His voice never changed during the 15 years he narrated this series. And when it went off the air he kept working until 2015 (his wife had recently passed away and that may have had something to do with it)

[@rhainaweissehexe3899]

Yes, Peter Thomas is one of our Legendary Narrators 🌹

[@nirvanarodriguez362]

Omg !!! RIP I love him

[@miguelangelperezmartines2307]

I love his voice, I don't know that news I'm sorry to hear that, thanks to teach me English 😢

[@xBarbie150x]

He’s still helping me. For example atm I’m in South Africa and the time is 01:09 and I jus decided to come here and look for this man’s voice.

[@KOHF34]

David Maxwell carried his sister’s legacy beautifully. She was lucky to have had him as a brother.

[@clifffischer4409]

Can you imagine 35 years go by and you think you got away with it then pow

[@traceeteeter9875]

It’s happening more more thanks to advancements in DNA!

[@LauraSti]

That's what I've been learning from all this. You can commit the perfect crime for your current technology, but you can't commit the perfect crime for technology 20 years from now. It will find you. It will always find you.

[@kostasvrionis781]

Με το DNA και σε αλλο πλανήτη να πας θα σε τσακωσουν

[@slyjohn6465]

@@LauraStiI know killer who never caught and they wil never know

[@jaynlunalee2783]

@slyjohn6465 God sees everything. He might've passed before getting caught here but u can ever run from who made us. Just saying.

[@brendadion7868]

"I hope the judge will have lenience on me"... Yeah, right dude. Rot.

[@beckygibney3762]

It’s always interesting that they will admit to killing but not raping. Even the worst criminals know there is something especially heinous about rape.

[@KimberlyBishh]

Yet they don't sentence accordingly... It's like the lawmakers and judges are saying, we don't want to ruin his life or anything..its only SA...🤬🤬🤬🤬

[@cassandraralph5906]

Amazing story about a brother who loved his sister so very much!

[@Dad.and.Addison]

I believe every single cold case could be solved if they were as determined and dedicated as this guy was.

[@sarahburggraf907]

And prayed

[@tokolloskosana3567]

It's not a piece of cake.

[@kateturner1849]

True brotherly love ❤️ What a wonderful man - and you gave your father peace. Bless you ❤️

[@placidpond]

Your love, brother, is proof that angels walk the earth

[@queitn6287]

Brotherly love? Dude was friends with detectives yet didn’t say anything lmao selfish

[@franknewton594]

Brotherly love at it's finest.

[@Beefaz9394]

‼️.

[@nnyv0040]

very smart homeless man, Willie Bell. who did not touch the crime scene when Diana asked to untie her - he called the police instead. Back in those days (especially) he could have been incriminated purely because of his skin colour.

[@OumTHMDY]

Exactly. He knew better.

[@meseknowsbest3144]

He definitely knew and I bet he was relieved he didn’t touch anything. Poor Diane, she was probably so terrified. 😞

[@McZachary44]

They literally didn’t do that when they compared his prints to the one on the car…..

[@June28July]

Not that smart, he should have helped her.

[@killakam725]

@@June28Julyuntying her wouldn’t have done shit, that wound was gonna kill her regardless

[@shawnnewell4541]

As I always say, perseverance pays off. I am so glad her father lived long enough to see justice served.

[@michaelidol3727]

I love Forensic Files!

[@anastanisic3164]

Nknk

[@vickeymaxwell-iu4ts]

She was my cousin David is also

[@vickeymaxwell-iu4ts]

I was 16 when it happened and it scared me for the rest of my life

[@parkerbeard6170]

​@@vickeymaxwell-iu4tsI'm so sorry this happened to you and your family. I remember getting stressed out with this episode with how difficult it was to solve the case. I'm glad Justice was served for your whole family before your Aunt & Uncle passed away.

[@alvincook8888]

I had a sister kidnapped and murdered years ago The emotional pain Never leaves. He was caught, convicted with life in prison. I always hoped another convict would kill him in prison. My sister was 4 years old.

[@unsheepled]

oh that is sooo unbearably painful, just a baby :( lm sorry for that loss

[@armandofavela4815]

So sorry doll..my god.

[@sarahburggraf907]

Im sorry

[@jaynlunalee2783]

I'm so sorry.

[@nadinewilliams6465]

I am so sorry to hear of your loss. So young. In my prayers.

[@kate2create738]

The fact they solved this case, after the mishandling of tracing the evidence that hindered the investigation for longer, after decades, it’s truly a miracle they found the murderer.

[@tigerdaz]

And fortunately the murderer is still alive… to taste the justice.

[@coolin2761]

I really hope who ever sold the photos got fired, or arrested. I’d assume that’s illegal to do.

[@technician122]

​@@coolin2761 They say in the episode that it was in violation of Houston PD policy.

[@terrysellers6712]

That great big good hearted man! One of the most touching things I have ever seen! His father must have been so proud, what a wonderful way to feel towards the end of life!😍😇

[@rullmourn1142]

On June 14, 2007, James Ray Davis died in prison after serving three years of his life sentence for the murder of Diane Maxwell. Davis was 62 years old.

[@sarmisthabasu8231]

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[@sarmisthabasu8231]

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[@sarmisthabasu8231]

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[@sarmisthabasu8231]

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[@sarmisthabasu8231]

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[@endoraismygma]

Not this girl abducting, killer asking for leniency 😡. These vicious killers always looking for sympathy that they didn't show their victims makes me sick.

[@bradpanter6559]

Wow what a story. Definitely one of my favorites of this series. I’m so glad they found out who did this.

[@vickeymaxwell-iu4ts]

She was my cousin

[@gjmbarusha6999]

@@vickeymaxwell-iu4tsso sorry for your loss 🙏🏾

[@poopybrat67]

God bless this brother. ❤️ as for the POS, leniency?!?! Leniency, really!?!? 🤬

[@tharrison7140]

Yesssssss....smh

[@emoses]

Appreceiate the brother ...man of character

[@stevenquimby5539]

RIP to Diane Maxwell. Glad your father lived long enough to see the case solved and justice served. May you both rest in eternal peace in heaven as well as the homeless man who reported it to police. That piece of crap James Ray Davis died in jail after serving roughly three years. A life of crime including this murder, without any remorse or emotion. I think the only thing he regrets is he got caught for all of his crimes including this. I also applaud the brother and his friend for not giving up for all those years. Job well done to you both, really proud of you two.

[@tokolloskosana3567]

Davis was a heartless piece of crap criminal.

[@OhElvira]

Love that awesome lady that gave false threats to get the fingerprints found again.

[@jessestewart169]

That's amazing.

[@billciari5040]

Sometimes you have to kick butt.

[@FlawlessImperfectionBeauty]

She’s awesome, a hero!

[@richierich440007]

Exactly what I was thinking. She’s tough as nails and totally amazing.

[@emilysansone1861]

Yes!

[@user-dm7ik4uy4c]

I also am disgusted, as others stated, that killers, as this one, had the nerve, the gall, when convicted, to ask for "leniency." He got away with murder for more than 30 years, but thank God, he was finally caught. Yes, he did not show any remorse. I am glad, at least, he was sentenced to life at 58, and from what I read in the comments, that he died in prison three years later.

[@kathrynshields8221]

Good it was solved.......so much Dedication. Glad the elderly parent Lived long enough to obtain closure Awful crime....

[@brightonbabe2139]

No wonder there are so many open cases in Houston if they are so inefficient.

[@seanthe100]

Tracing fingerprints SMH

[@iamV10010]

@@seanthe100 that was done to help the computers of the time to pick up the lines better for comparison.

[@tdestroyer4780]

@@iamV10010 They also needed a suspect to compare them to because there was no national database. Solving random violent crimes was very hard in the old days.

[@traceeteeter9875]

I wonder if they were able to figure out who sold the crime scene pics to the British magazine?

[@bornaries7213]

Promises made...promise kept. I didn't think his father would get his wish but his son did that work. I cried on this episode. Who would have thought 30+ years of evidence would crack the code?! Yes indeed it was devine intervention for sure!

[@janhayes5838]

It's creepy that the photos were sold to that crime magazine

[@sophiebaby3074]

Justice. Peace be with the family ♥️

[@beautifulwonderful4391]

That's so evil. It's bad enough he robbed her. Why did he have to sexually assault and kill her. So evil.

[@toscadonna]

There’s a real reason why cattle rustlers, rapists, bank robbers, etc. were immediately strung up in the past. They only keep committing crimes their whole lives, and so many innocent people suffer due to our leniency on criminals.

[@parkerbeard6170]

The Brother said at 10:00 that he thought the Killer was dead, b/c he knew if it was a Random act no body could imagine that person would never do it again while they're alive

[@LivingLifeWithDeeDee]

Wow! The dedication🙌🏾

[@richierich440007]

I can’t imagine how Texas Ranger David’s father felt, having finally known while he was alive, who murdered his innocent beautiful girl. These officers and all those latent print experts, staff and all participants deserve a medal for having solved s very difficult case. Blessings to their families. Back the Blue / Texas rangers

[@niesalloyd3855]

He wants leniency and never give poor diane or her family that

[@audreymuzingo933]

So, yet another case where the victim's wounds were interpretted to have "surgical precision" but were just dumb stabs.

[@tdestroyer4780]

It was probably a small shank in the heat of the moment but he ended up hitting a major blood vessel. It clearly wasn't intentional, but he still deserves to to be in prison.

[@audreymuzingo933]

@@tdestroyer4780 Of course. It's just that apparently a lot of cops watch too much TV just like the rest of us, and think they're looking at the work of some highly intelligent serial killer, when really it was just blind rage bullsh.

[@steelhurricane4041]

He knows where the major veins are, He's a a prison dude.

[@dextermorgan4093]

This isn’t CSI. Real life is a little more difficult than TV.

[@audreymuzingo933]

@@dextermorgan4093 Exactly, but a lot of cops seem to think real life is like TV, LOL.

[@tonyarichards5430]

Expectation brings disappointment. That’s how it works.

[@jessestewart169]

Reached back in time to December 69. Case solved by a finger print. Wow.

[@vickeymaxwell-iu4ts]

A palm print

[@L.C._2012]

It's sad but Willie's foresight protected him from getting charged with this crime. Especially at the day in time.

[@user-qm4xp1ki8o]

YES, TRUE SO TRUE.

[@de689]

I have often had the feeling that divine intervention played a role in solving so many of these cases.

[@summersojourner]

Absolutely divine intervention was involved in this case.

[@TheYOUSIFYOUSIF]

Divine my ass, where was the divine when the poor young lady was dying ?

[@obsidiansea]

@@TheYOUSIFYOUSIF Exactly!

[@vandanaanita8389]

​@@TheYOUSIFYOUSIFExactly. There is no such thing as God or Devil. Humans are responsible for both good & bad.

[@pt-7890]

Use ur brain 🤡 , what divine intervention?

[@brendadion7868]

Willie Bell was very lucky as a black witness... considering it was 1969 in Texas

[@zuzellogan5613]

What kind of police department is that to throw away evidences??? I mean, seriously??? Jeez, Houston police department needs to be retrained or the whole department be dismantled.. Unbelievable, truly unbelievably disgusting. Hats off to this gentleman who never gave up finding his sister killer. He was the hero in this story. And as far as the perpetrator is concerned, I am glad he was found guilty and is incarcerated IF he still alive. And for this criminal to say he hoped the court and the jury show “ leniency” is outrageous! What leniency did he show to his victim? Huh? Did he show any remorse whatsoever for what he did? Smh absolutely crazy, just unbelievably insane. WOW 😮

[@allevangelistchristianssuc8662]

Zuzel Logan I grew up in the Houston area in the 1960s and they were well-known for bungling case after case.

[@tvs9978]

I know. The nerve to think just because he was older, the courts should be lenient with him for a rape-armed robery-murder-robbery.

[@vickeymaxwell-iu4ts]

The evidence was in someone else’s file. The fingerprints

[@whelpdog1]

I was pretty upset they lost the evidence on my sister but didn't quit my job as I'm proud to be part of an organization who wouldn't do it on purpose. Eh negligence is just as bad but not on purpose!

[@cindieryan446]

Precious precious family.

[@truaswho898]

That killer wanted leniency !!! Sickening

[@Stewart1953]

one of the better episodes

[@cassandraralph5906]

Not so impressed with the State of Texas police department, with their disgraceful, inefficient and irresponsible attitudes regarding criminal records and evidence 🙄 😒. If I was in charge, I would have severely disciplined, and also fired those responsible for these mistakes and mishaps! They would have ended up picking blood out of their ears!

[@S1aughtahyou]

if only you were in charge of everything cassandra the world would be better

[@badkarma1289]

You sound like a treat to be around, Karenssandra.

[@TheMenon49]

Truly Brotherly Love. And Dedication too!

[@chardenchies9018]

To me, he was not remorseful. Had he been, he would have come forward to confess to the police. Also, he denied any involvement ("I have never seen that car in my life...") until he leaned he could not beat fingerprints. He is asking for mercy. Why didn't he have mercy on Diane when she was begging him for it?

[@Hope44903]

Ohh God bless his heart they found the monster...The evil that live out there is enormous...

[@rs52594]

James Ray Davis only served three years of his life sentence before dying in 2007.

[@thewillofabeast9079]

Some say, "he still got away with it". And while, true, he had served only three years before he died but at least he was captured, convicted and sentenced. And that Diane's parents lived long enough to see him convicted. Diane's mother passed only a few months before Davis did but at least, she got the last laugh in seeing him being convicted.

[@Jath2112]

That Ranger is the right kind of person. The world needs more people like that. That is how you go about being a person.

[@markfeagans9679]

The perp went home, to the home he knew best-prison.

[@chasingdemons7231]

What kind of police department are they running there how in the world do you lose every single item that makes up an entire case file hopefully they fired the people responsible for this

[@vincentferrigno2767]

You want the judge to go easy on you because your an old bat? Forget it, did you go easy on this woman you rapped.

[@tvs9978]

Not just raped, raped, robbed and murdered

[@derek04151]

That Texas Ranger is relentless, he's like a pitbull. Salute. 🥇

[@muffs55mercury61]

In many families siblings are our greatest gifts. I wish it were that way with every family. Her son would be 58 today and I hope life has been good to him. I would have liked to seen the look on Davis's face knowing that the 34 year old murder had finally come back to bite him.

[@robertstout6980]

james ray davis died in prison in 2007. You got off easy.

[@nicholasshade]

😁

[@summersojourner]

Hopefully he’s paying the price for eternity.

[@suewolfe7951]

Love this show. Forensic files is the best thing on TV. The narrator puts me to sleep 😴 it's good 😊👍

[@pruephillip1338]

How could this policeman keep this case current yet the evidence was eventually tossed out?

[@susankaempfer8427]

What a fustercluck! So glad they solved it.

[@jhieroblo4219]

No one can compare how peter thomas narrate the story, his voice was amazing

[@elsasantiago6858]

I live in Baja California México,i watch forensic files on and on.but this episode i watched 5 times at once ,wanted to pay all my attention to this episode,im glad to read im not the only one who falls asleep listening to Peter Thomas Rip.unique voice.

[@barbmogen4841]

this criminal was like this was his life...so did he ever serve any time for his acts...always was out there...repeat and repeat..no justice...no justice..then finally..after 35 yrs.....

[@amoshtael1844]

Amazing love and hard work! Thank you!

[@Scorpio_Rose1980]

Thank goodness they didnt just charge Willie becaise he was "present". ❤️🌹❤️

[@carolmatthew6105]

Justice finally for Diane...

[@thisissoeasy]

David Maxwell. - The ultimate HERO!!!

[@lesant7659]

Miracle, it was a miracle to solve this case . Rest in peace Diane 🙏

[@BayzeeTV]

"Up next".... I like his introductory statement.

[@datrellscott2376]

I don’t blame the homeless man who decided not to touch the victim and called the police instead. He knows he’d be number one suspect if he touch her

[@traceeteeter9875]

You know it. They would have strung him up by the end of the week.

[@marisahall6741]

So true.

[@badkarma1289]

Ol' Willie would have gotten the chair.

[@Highheels4ever]

The resilience and determination that David Maxwell had to solve his sister Diane murder, was admirable. That’s what I call a true brotherly love! Finally, this case was solved after 30 years or so because of the dedication of a Texas Ranger David Maxwell and his partner to bring to justice the perpetrator, James Ray Davis, who ended his sister Diane’s life. And David’s father was alive to see that justice was finally done to his daughter Diane and to the whole family. A job very well done 👍 I applaud David and his partner for never giving up in finding this criminal, James Ray Davis who is in prison (if he still alive) for the senseless crime he committed. Rest in Peace always, Diane 🙏🌹

[@bobbymenon4057]

What a long road☹️☹️ Congratulations for the perseverance, tho the sister was gone forever😔

[@gueritacruz3148]

VERY GOOD 👍 JOP GOD BLESS YOU ALL 🙏 ❤

[@unamilan2978]

This gentlemanly Texas Renger to me what America should be all about, I really loved this family and very sorry they have lost one of the members of their family to a career criminal. Who wouldn't want a brother like him.

[@lizabethgussman331]

“ leniency on me” 😳😳😳👀👀👀👀🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬

[@newtonphillips8888]

This is the answer to prayer, God knows where everybody is and what they've done. I'm so thankful that family got the answer. Yes Jesus does care and answers prayer. Bless that Brother. Rhonda

[@lynnasmro2559]

The best show

[@ThisIsJ.Nicole]

'I respect authority but I don't mind challenging it.'...I like that lady. 😏

[@mangafq8]

Why did David not tell his friend in the FBI about his sister's murder years earlier? That seems a bit odd actually.

[@badkarma1289]

Texas Rangers are known for handling things themselves. David only reached out as a last resort.

[@mangafq8]

@@badkarma1289 it's a last resort to tell someone about your sister's death. OK. Ya learn something new everyday. Thanks for the insight.

[@badkarma1289]

@@mangafq8 Happy to help.

[@vickeymaxwell-iu4ts]

I can explain. They’re my cousins. They’re Christian Scientists. That explains it right there

[@TurboDiesel4x4]

@@vickeymaxwell-iu4tsthanks

[@jamesl9371]

Let criminals out of prison with just their clothes and a few dollars? What are they going to do? Commit more crimes. It’s a revolving door. Yeah the criminals are guilty but the system doesn’t help them out much

[@seanmcclure]

The elite task force with evidence mishandled and sold and lost. Epic fail.

[@cw5451]

The elite Texas Rangers aren’t the ones who mishandled, sold, and lost evidence. That was the fault of the Houston Police.

[@ekstadropsen]

The elite task force is in this case was The Texas Rangers, not the Houston Police Department. The Rangers were not the ones in charge of the case, so not the ones who f'ed up so royally.

[@sickoftheshit]

The scumbag was hoping for leniency. What leniency did the scumbag show his victims? Absolutely none! Disgusting, foul thing. What an amazing family.😢❤

[@jamesspears8226]

That was one of the hardest cases they had to solve. It took them so long to figure out who murdered his sister.

[@DemnRaig80]

I miss my brother 😥

[@traceeteeter9875]

I’m sorry. It’s tough. I miss my sister. Hugs to you.

[@emilysansone1861]

Miss mine too, sending you peace

[@tmmears]

my goodness. the first time I saw this video, peter thomas said my first name. I immediately went into “unsolved mystery” mode. I slept in day clothes and sneakers with every light on in the house for every night two weeks.

[@user-gw2ew3rm3t]

Brotherly love at its finest ❤❤.

[@Rafael_1965]

David is an amazing person

[@dbentleyto95]

We must not forget his deputy or assistants' intestinal fortitude to make sure the files were found. Guess no one looks forward to an internal investigation

[@macioluko9484]

For those that don’t give up!

[@Tybby22]

THE NEGLIGENCE WITH THE EVIDENCE WTH

[@ladyyuna2000]

💐💐RIP Diane Lee Maxwell Jackson (12 May 1944- 14 Dec 1969) (aged 25) you will truly be missed and my prayers go out to you and your family.💐💐 (Father) RIP David Malvin Maxwell Sr. (31 Dec 1914- 13 Oct 2010) (aged 95), 💐💐 (Mother) RIP (Nora Lee Adams Maxwell (31 Dec 1917-29 Apr 2007)(aged 89), you will truly be missed and my prayers go out to you both.

[@markheying2830]

Were there any possible suspects connected to the Death of his Father or Mother?

[@vickeymaxwell-iu4ts]

Did u know them? They are my family. My dads David’s youngest brother

[@vickeymaxwell-iu4ts]

@@markheying2830 the parents weren’t died of old age

[@alexandrafitzgeraldmusicia1660]

Right, they won’t take you to prison just because you’re sick 🤣

[@curtisbrown5939]

Thanks Bro, 👍🤠

[@user-rv7bf4nk9r]

He thought being old and sick would get him out of prison time. Worthless.

[@cabdirizaaqaxmed9701]

Waaa sheeko kale

[@donbush9091]

So sad Omg That poor lady

[@elvismoon6815]

God bless the Maxwell family

[@weng9162]

amazing brother

[@JaneDoe-xn3ct]

another reason why i believe in the right to keep and bear arms

[@jacquelinecrabb6088]

I believe in the right to bear arms. But I don’t believe the people need to own the military or the multiple round guns. Are people expecting a zombie outbreak or what. They made machine guns illegal for a reason. Multiple round guns are not meant for hunting for food, they are meant for killing multiple people as in war. When they wrote the second amendment there was no such gun available like the guns we have today.

[@bullbikkov7239]

@@jacquelinecrabb6088 the second amendment was written to give the people power to withstand an invading force and other reasons, not for hunting

[@jacquelinecrabb6088]

@@bullbikkov7239 In other words the use of the military style rifles by civilians are only for use in killing people. Not just for use by military during wars but for civilian use if and when a person feels threatened or disagrees with you. I see.

[@setshwaneng]

I thought the killer was of medical profession 😐🤨. I have doubts. The man is guilty of something but not this case

[@ronshouse4205]

@@jacquelinecrabb6088 "Not just for use by military during wars but for civilian use if and when a person feels threatened" Exactly! I've twice now tried to respond to this comment but Youturd is blocking it.....maybe because I tried to add an URL link to a story from '17 about a homeowner's son near Tulsa OK who killed three home invaders with an AR-15....bet he and his family were glad to have had enough rounds to fend off THREE attackers. There was also a story earlier than that about a 15 or 16 year old kid in San Antonio....his dad was a cop, taught the son how to use an AR-15; one day, while the parents were away, he used an AR-15 to repel two home invaders while he and his younger sister were home alone. But hey, I guess you'd rather see the Tulsa family and the San Antonio kids killed by evildoers than the family members being allowed to own AR-15s

[@Brian1Graves]

Dead men don't re-offend.