48 Hours Closing the Cold Case of Robin Lawrence Airs October 25 2025 on CBS

On Saturday, October 25, 2025, at 10:00 PM ET/PT, 48 Hours shines a spotlight on a decades-old mystery that haunted a Virginia community for nearly 30 years. In Closing the Cold Case of Robin Lawrence, correspondent Anne-Marie Green investigates the brutal 1994 murder of a gifted artist and young mother—and the relentless search for the truth that finally led to justice.
A Shocking Crime in Springfield, Virginia
Robin Lawrence was a talented artist, known for her gentle spirit and devotion to her young daughter. In November 1994, she was found murdered in her Springfield, Virginia home. Her two-year-old daughter was discovered alive but alone, having survived two days on her own beside her mother’s body. The case left investigators stunned and the community shaken.
Despite initial efforts, the case went cold. There were no eyewitnesses, no forced entry, and no immediate suspects. For years, Robin’s loved ones—including her sister Mary Warr Cowans and close friend Laurie Lindberg—waited for answers that never seemed to come.
The Breakthrough
Nearly three decades later, cold case detectives Melissa Wallace and Jon Long of the Fairfax County Police Department reopened the investigation with fresh eyes and advanced forensic tools. Their work led to a stunning breakthrough and identified a surprising suspect—someone who had never been on the radar in the original investigation.
For the first time, 48 Hours reveals how technology, persistence, and community cooperation helped bring clarity to a case long believed to be unsolvable. In a stunning twist, the killer himself reveals what drove him to take Robin’s life, offering insight into a crime that had puzzled authorities for years.
Inside the Episode
The broadcast features emotional interviews with those closest to Robin, including:
- Laurie Lindberg, a dear friend who remembers Robin’s kindness and creativity
- Mary Warr Cowans, Robin’s sister, who fought tirelessly to keep the case alive
- Detectives Melissa Wallace and Jon Long, who led the cold case unit that finally cracked the case
48 Hours gives viewers an intimate look at the heartbreak and healing that followed the crime—and the powerful resolution that brought long-awaited closure to a grieving family.
How to Watch
Tune in to 48 Hours: Closing the Cold Case of Robin Lawrence on Saturday, October 25 at 10/9c on CBS. The episode will also be available for streaming on Paramount+.
This season premiere continues 48 Hours’ tradition of compelling true-crime storytelling—featuring detailed investigations, emotional depth, and the pursuit of long-delayed justice.
Release Date & Time: 10:00 PM Saturday 25 October 2025 on CBS
48 Hours Cast –
| Main Cast |
|---|
| Erin Moriarty Peter Van Sant Richard Schlesinger Maureen Maher Tracy Smith Jim Axelrod Anne-Marie Green Michelle Miller |
