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Tina Lewallan and Shera Lapoint
Forensic Genetic Genalogy
forensic genetic genealogy
Forensic Genetic Genealogy made its breakthrough in law enforcement with the identification and conviction of the Golden State Killer in April 2018. Hear about how this methodology cracked a 25-year old Southeast Texas cold case on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
25-year old cold case
The 1995 murder of Beaumont teacher and Forest Park HS graduate Mary Catherine Edwards remained unsolved for 25 years. Hear about how investigators using Forensic Genetic Genealogy brought Clayton Bernard Foreman to justice for the crime, right here on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
genetic genealogy
genetic genealogy
Through comparing source DNA with DNA matches on family trees, law enforcement investigators are now solving long-time cold cases . Hear about Southeast Texas' first cold case solved through using Forensic Genetic Genealogy on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
The Investigators
detectives tina and aaron lewallan--beaumont pd
Married couple Aaron and Tina Lewallan were Beaumont PD's lead detectives in solving the 25-year old cold case murder of Mary Catherine Edwards. Hear Tina Lewallan's account of using Forensic Genetic Genealogy to bring Clayton Foreman to justice here on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
detectives tina and aaron lewallan
Tina and Aaron Lewallan of the Beaumont PD headed up the search for the cold case 1995 cold case murder of Mary Catherine Edwards. Hear Tina Lewallan's account of the successful investigation and prosecution of Clayton Foreman here on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
shera lapoint "the gene hunter"
Nationally recognized genealogist and author Shera Lapoint teamed with Detective Tina Lewallan to identify the owner of DNA left at the 1995 murder of Mary Catherine Edwards using the methods of Forensic Genetic Genealogy. Hear Shera tell about this journey on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
shera and tina--where it all started
This picture, submitted by Shera Lapoint, shows Shera and Tina "...at the gravesite of the common ancestors that helped put the pieces together. Paul Thibodeaux and Marguerite Manceaux in Morse, Louisiana." Hear Shera Lapoint tell how Forensic Genetic Genealogy solved the Mary Catherine Edwards cold case on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
shera on panel with nancy grace
Shera Lapoint is a nationally known authority on Forensic Genetic Genealogy. Here she is serving on a panel with Nancy Grace. Hear Shera Lapoint talk about how DNA and genealogy led to the solving of a Southeast Texas cold case on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
guest on nancy grace
Shera Lapoint is a sought after authority on Forensic Genetic Genealogy. Here is a picture of her as a guest on the Nancy Grace Show. Hear how Shera teamed up with Detective Tina Lewallan to solve the Mary Catherine Edwards cold case on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
shera with dr. henry lee
This is a picture of Shera Lapoint with world-recognized Forensic Genetic Genealogy authority Dr. Henry Lee. Hear Shera Lapoint talk about how DNA and family trees led to the conviction of Clayton Foreman for a 25-year old cold case murder on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
texas ranger brandon bess
Texas Ranger and Kirbyville native Brandon Bess started the ball rolling when he approached Aaron Lewallan with the idea of solving a Southeast Texas cold case murder using Forensic Genetic Genealogy. Hear the behind-the-scenes story of the Mary Catherine Edwards cold case murder on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
The Case
mary catherine edwards (right) with her twin sister allison
Mary Catherine Edwards had a twin sister, Allison. Mary Catherine was 31-years old when she was found murdered in 1995. Hear about how her case was solved using Forensic Genetic Genealogy on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
forest park hs alumni
Clayton Foreman and Mary Catherine Edwards were both graduates of Forest Park High School in Beaumont. Hear about the investigation and conviction of Clayton Foreman for her murder--after 25 years--on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
bridesmaid at his wedding
Mary Catherine Edwards (right) and her twin sister Allison were bridesmaids at Clayton Foreman's marriage to his first wife. Hear the story about how Clayton Foreman was brought to justice through the method of Forensic Genetic Genealogy on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
the interrogation, ohio, 2021
Clayton Foreman was interrogated in Ohio by Texas Ranger Brandon Bess and Beaumont Detective Aaron Lewallan in 2021. Hear about how the investigation led to this interrogation on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
the arrest, ohio, 2021
Shortly following Clayton Foreman's interrogation, he was arrested in Ohio for the 1995 murder of Mary Catherine Edwards. Hear about the arrest of Clayton Foreman, and the DNA evidence that identified him as a person of interest, on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
the handcuffs
What is the significance of these handcuffs that were used in the arrest of Clayton Foreman? Find out the story behind these handcuffs, on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
beaumont pd chief james singletary, press conference 2021
Beaumont Police Chief James Singletary held a press conference in 2021 to update the media on the arrest of Clayton Foreman. Standing at the left of this picture are Shera Lapoint, Tina Lewallan, and Aaron Lewallan. Hear about how the Beaumont Police Department solved the 25-year old cold case murder of Mary Catherine Edwards on Down Trails of Victory podcast! (Photo by Kim Brent, Beaumont Enterprise)
shera, tina, and chief singletary, at press conference 2021
Shera Lapoint gives Police Chief James Singletary supportive words as Detective Tina Lewallan looks on. This exchange happened following a 2021 press conference about the arrest of Clayton Foreman for the 1995 murder of Mary Catherine Edwards. Hear Tina Lewallan and Shera Lapoint talk about that case from beginning to end, on Down Trails of Victory podcast! (Photo by Kim Brent, Beaumont Enterprise)
the trial, March 2024
Clayton Foreman stood trial in Jefferson County for the murder of Mary Catherine Edwards in March, 2024. Both Detective Tina Lewallan and Shera Lapoint testified as witnesses during the trial. Hear their thoughts about the Clayton Foreman murder trial on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
guilty verdict, march 2024
guilty verdict, march 2024
In 2024, Clayton Foreman was found guilty by a Jefferson County jury for the 1995 murder of Mary Catherine Edwards. He was convicted on the DNA evidence, and he was identified by that DNA evidence through the method of forensic genetic genalogy. Hear Detective Tina Lewallan, and "The Gene Hunter" Shera Lapoint, tell the story of cracking this 25-year old cold case on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
job well done
In June of 2025, Tina and Aaron Lewallan, along with members of the Beaumont Police Department, were honored by the Press Club of Southeast Texas as "Newsmakers of the Year!" Hear the incredible and powerful story of how they solved a 25-year old cold case by using Forensic Genetic Genealogy on Down Trails of Victory podcast!
Purchase Down Trails of Victory
Down Trails of Victory, published in 1994, is a classic whose prose will forever be fresh. Currently in its second printing, its first printing sold out in six weeks!
Included in Down Trails of Victory are:
- Extensive commentaries by coaches and players, many of whom have now passed on, but whose voice forever lives within the book
- Complete narrative history of every season, 1925 - '93
- Chapter covering the origins of several Indian traditions, including the Indian Spirit, Indianettes, the Fight Song, Cherokee, and the Marching I
- Over 500 pages (including Acknowledgements and Foreword)
- Over 325 photos
- Over 65 manuscripts and documents
- Comprehensive player, coaches, and cheerleader rosters
- Much, much more...
The games, the rivalries, the great victories, the heartbreaking defeats, the heroes, the opponents--they're all here. Discover how it was from the players and coaches themselves. Open the book, and take a fascinating journey with them--Down Trails of Victory!
The Podcast Team
Dr. Jon Buck Ford--Host
Buck is a 1973 graduate of Port Neches-Groves High School. He has written two books pertaining to SE Texas history: On the Wings of Eagles: The Story of Stephen F. Austin Football 1979 - 1988, and Down Trails of Victory: The Story of Port Neches-Groves High School Football. Buck retired after 40 years in Texas Public Schools, as an English teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal, and superintendent. He enjoys spending time with his wife Wanda Carole (Wrinkle), playing the piano, traveling, and researching genealogy.
Judge Brad Burnett--Podcast Partner
Judge Brad Burnett is a 1973 graduate of Port Neches-Groves High School, His career includes previous positions as a real estate broker, and as a plant manager at US Intec. Judge Burnett has devoted his life to serving Southeast Texas. He served three terms on the PN-G ISD school board, before his election as Justice of the Peace of Jefferson County Pct. 7, a position he has held since 2002. Judge Burnett is active in many community organizations, and is in constant demand as a speaker for civic, school, and church groups. He is married to his high school sweetheart, Teresa (Lee), and has three "awesome" grandkids. From the book Down Trails of Victory, "(Brad) was a constant encourager throughout the years as I worked on the book. He believed in me and my dream, and his support gave me confidence in myself. He attended many of the panel interviews with former players, and we had a continual dialogue over the years about the status of the book. ...Thank you, Brad," page ix. --Dr. Jon Buck Ford
Wanda Carole Wrinkle Ford Producer
Wanda Carole Wrinkle Ford was born in Mamou, Louisiana, and lived in Southeast Texas for 40 years. She graduated from Lamar University in Beaumont as a Registered Nurse in 1990. She is multi-talented with a diverse background and range of experiences. In addition to being a song writer and award-winning photographer, she also served as publisher and editor of the best selling book Down Trails of Victory, without whose help the book never would have been written. Wanda Carole specializes in wildlife photography, enjoys traveling, gardening, helping her friends and family, genealogy, playing the piano, and undertaking new challenges.