# NCIS / Exhuming The Past

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/cold-case-files-889639/ncis-exhuming-the-past
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/cold-case-files-889639/ncis-exhuming-the-past.md
Podcast: [Cold Case Files](https://stenobird.com/podcast/cold-case-files-889639)
Published: 2026-05-05T07:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/prfx.byspotify.com/e/claritaspod.com/measure/arttrk.com/p/PDPN1/pscrb.fm/rss/p/rss.art19.com/episodes/d937cc28-89ac-4200-867a-4ed2ea9a5521.mp3?rss_browser=BAhJIg90cmFuc2NyaWJyBjoGRVQ%3D--952c5701c84ad333c69d5faa668f8177091704f0
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/prfx.byspotify.com/e/claritaspod.com/measure/arttrk.com/p/PDPN1/pscrb.fm/rss/p/rss.art19.com/episodes/d937cc28-89ac-4200-867a-4ed2ea9a5521.mp3?rss_browser=BAhJIg90cmFuc2NyaWJyBjoGRVQ%3D--952c5701c84ad333c69d5faa668f8177091704f0
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/cold-case-files-889639/episodes/ncis-exhuming-the-past
Duration seconds: 2453

## Resource

A Navy sailor's disappearance in 1968 is initially dismissed as desertion, but decades of investigation reveal a much darker truth. This episode follows the persistence of a sister and the forensic breakthroughs that finally brought killers to justice.

## Highlights
- Main idea: The Navy's official 'AWOL' classification for Andrew Muns was a cover for a much more violent reality
- Practical takeaway: Forensic DNA from a discarded cigarette butt proved instrumental in identifying a long-unsolved murderer
- Failure mode: Legal challenges regarding interrogation tactics nearly suppressed a critical confession in the Muns case
- Main idea: The emotional toll of unsolved crimes can impact the health and lives of the victims' families for decades
- Practical takeaway: Surveillance and meticulous evidence collection are essential for linking suspects to decades-old crime scenes

## Topics

Cold Cases, Forensic DNA, U.S. Navy, Criminal Investigation, True Crime, Unsolved Murders, Legal Proceedings, Criminal Justice

## Chapters
- 1:00 — The Disappearance of Andrew Muns: The 1968 disappearance of a U.S. Navy sailor from a ship in the Philippines and the Navy's initial claims of desertion.
- 5:00 — The Weight of Unanswered Questions: The devastating impact of the unsolved case on the Muns family and the suspicion of foul play.
- 8:30 — Identifying a Suspect: Investigators focus on Michael LeBrun, a sailor who worked in the ship's office, as a person of interest.
- 12:10 — The Interrogation: Detectives confront LeBrun with evidence gathered from his past and his shipmates.
- 19:10 — The Confession and Legal Battle: A struggle in the courts over whether a taped confession was obtained through legal or unethical means.
- 22:30 — Seeking Closure: The emotional aftermath of the guilty plea and the attempt to find peace for the victim's family.
- 26:40 — Justice for the Muns Family: The resolution of the 30-year-old case through a voluntary manslaughter plea.
- 30:10 — The Search for Evidence: A separate investigation into a campus murder involving foot patrols and searching undergrowth.

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## Transcript

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