Episode 39: DNA Doesn’t Lie: The Brutal Assault of Brittani Marcell
In this episode of Super SUS, we delve into the chilling case of Brittani Marcell—a survivor whose resilience sparked a nearly decade-long search for justice.
A Shocking Attack in Broad Daylight
On September 11, 2008, 17-year-old Brittani Marcell returned home from Cibola High School for lunch when she was ambushed in her Albuquerque home. A man wielding a shovel brutally struck her; her mother, Diane Marcell, walked in to find Brittani covered in blood and the assailant emerging through the kitchen wielding a knife. He fled through a back window, leaving Brittani fighting for her life.
The Road to Recovery
Brittani’s injuries were severe: multiple skull fractures, a broken left arm and wrist, along with permanent damage—loss of sight in her left eye, loss of hearing in her left ear, and extensive memory loss. After spending about 10 days in a coma and enduring nearly 16 reconstructive surgeries, she relearned basic functions—talking, walking, eating—and went on to finish high school and earn a college degree.
A DNA Breakthrough
Investigators retrieved a single drop of blood from the broken window—harboring the perpetrator's DNA—but initial searches yielded no match. In 2010, prosecutors took the unusual step of indicting the DNA profile itself, rather than an individual, preserving the case from the statute of limitations.
In 2013, Det. Jodi Gonterman joined the investigation and had Brittani undergo hypnosis, helping surface details about the attacker—brown eyes, no tattoos—and one name: Justin Hansen.
Catching a Cold Cup of DNA
Hansen initially refused to provide DNA. So detectives collected a discarded McDonald’s cup, and testing confirmed a match with the blood sample from the attack scene.
Justice and Reflection
In July 2017, Justin Hansen was arrested. In April 2018, he entered a no-contest plea to charges including attempted murder and aggravated burglary, and was sentenced to 18 years in prison. Though he maintains his innocence, Brittani has expressed the pain of feeling justice was delayed and the sentence insufficient given the gravity of the crime.
A Survivor’s Strength
Brittani's story is one of extraordinary strength and resilience. Through unimaginable physical and emotional trauma, she rebuilt her life. Today, she stands as a symbol of hope and courage, proving that even the darkest violence can be met with extraordinary will. Her journey—from grave victim to empowered survivor—highlights the power of forensic science and unwavering determination in the search for truth.
