The Unsolved Murder of Pauline "Robbin" Burgett, Phoenix, Arizona

NOVEMBER 24 2021- On March 12, 1978, Pauline Robbin Burgett ("Robbin") was murdered in her family's duplex. She lived with her brother, Chad, who would now be in his 50s, and their mother. Robbin was supposed to stay with friends while her mother and brother were away for the weekend. 

Robbin was discovered with several stab wounds. There's been some reporting that she was also sexually assaulted. While horrifically unexpected, this case has been unsolved for 43 years and because there appear to be few details, it's worthy of attention. 

The cold case detective working on the case, Detective Clark Schwartzkopf, indicated they hadn't found a match for the DNA evidence. It's believed two people were at the scene during the killing since they have two unknown individual's DNA. It's also speculated that the DNA could be a result of consensual sex. 

Although Robbin was to stay at a friend's house, she said she was going to go see a boyfriend. Nobody knows if she met with anyone. They just know she didn't return to her friend's house. It's believed that her perpetrator was someone she knew and possibly invited inside since there wasn't any evidence of forced entry. With nothing missing from the property, they ruled out robbery as a motive. Robbin had dropped out of school and knew a lot of boys. 

Robbin had allegedly been threatened by people in an area she used to babysit. Also, an older man allegedly made advances towards her. According to the detective, Robbin knew a lot of boys and also had ex-boyfriends. 

Three years after Robbin was killed, their mother who was a diabetic passed away. Chad said his mother never got over her daughter's death.

This is a case that has no witnesses, and some DNA evidence that may or may not belong to the perpetrator(s), but there are no matches to date. 

A program in Arizona known as Silent Witness works with the media and law enforcement to help solve crimes. Robbin Burgette is still listed on their website. 

If anyone has any helpful information, please contact Silent Witness at (480)948-6377.

Article Source: medium.com/the-mystery-box/the-unsolved-murder-of-pauline-robbin-burgett-in-phoenix-az-2437621d5452

Author: Cathy Coombs