In a haunting tale that combines familial loss with the pursuit of justice, Jane Alexander’s relentless quest to discover the truth behind her aunt’s murder exposed a chilling reality: the killer was closer than she ever imagined. Raised in part by her aunt, Gertrude McCabe, Alexander’s life was irrevocably altered when McCabe was brutally murdered in 1983. This tragedy set Alexander on a decade-long journey to uncover evidence that ultimately led to the apprehension of her aunt’s killer—her own boyfriend.
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Jane Alexander’s early life had been marked by affection and support. Following her parents’ divorce during her childhood, it was Gertrude McCabe who played a pivotal role in raising her. However, the stability provided by McCabe was tragically shattered on 23 October 1983 when police revealed the horrifying news of her murder. The shock and grief propelled Alexander into action; she was determined to find out who could commit such a heinous act against her beloved aunt.
Prior to this tragedy, Alexander lived an enviable life. With a successful marriage to a banker in a prosperous San Francisco neighbourhood and the joys of raising six children, her world seemed bright. Sadly, her life took a drastic turn in 1977 when her husband unexpectedly passed away. It was during this tumultuous period that Tom O’Donnell, a long-time friend of her late husband, reached out to check on her. This seemingly innocent gesture blossomed into a romantic relationship and O’Donnell soon became a significant figure in Alexander’s life, even taking on the responsibility of managing her aunt’s finances.
However, ten months after the murder of Gertrude McCabe, Alexander received an unexpected letter from O’Donnell announcing he was leaving town due to a supposed threat from former business partners. Shortly thereafter, she began to unravel uncomfortable truths about O’Donnell’s financial management, which had nearly resulted in her bankruptcy. Alarmingly, Alexander learned from a police investigator that her boyfriend was under suspicion for her aunt’s murder.
Determined to uncover the truth, Alexander tracked down O’Donnell, discovering him holed up in Las Vegas. The police subsequently arrested him for defrauding Alexander and, although he was convicted of fraud in 1986, the evidence concerning McCabe’s murder remained circumstantial. Stripped of her wealth, Alexander faced a difficult reality, moving into a modest one-room apartment and taking a job at a local retirement home. Yet, even in these challenging circumstances, she continued her efforts to solve her aunt’s murder, collaborating closely with law enforcement.
Over the next five years, their diligence bore fruit. New evidence emerged, including a statement from O’Donnell’s nephew, who claimed that his uncle had talked about McCabe’s death before the police were even aware of it. A critical piece of evidence was also discovered: a photograph showing O’Donnell had tampered with the crime scene. Equipped with this new information, they were able to renew the investigation.
In March 1992, O’Donnell was arrested for the second time. Four years later, after a drawn-out legal process, he was convicted of first-degree murder in 1996 and received a sentence of 25 years to life. Grant Cunningham, an investigator with the Santa Clara district attorney’s office, credited Alexander for her perseverance, stating, “Without Jane it wouldn’t have happened. She got hold of it and wouldn’t let go.”
Following the conviction, Alexander continued her advocacy for victims of violent crime. She co-founded Citizens Against Homicide, a group dedicated to assisting families of murder victims in their efforts to motivate law enforcement to solve cold cases. “You’ve got to get mad,” she once remarked, highlighting the emotional drive that fuelled her resolve.
Jane Alexander passed away on 14 December 2008 at the age of 86, leaving behind a legacy of relentless pursuit for justice. She had been working on approximately 500 open homicide cases at the time of her death and had played a crucial role in solving more than 20 cold case murders. Her story was immortalised in the 1999 book “Citizen Jane,” which was later adapted into a Hallmark Channel movie in 2009.
Tom O’Donnell, the man who had brought such pain into Alexander’s life, was denied parole and died in prison in January 2010. The stark contrast between their fates serves as a potent reminder of the complexities of human relationships and the profound impact of crime on families. In her quest for justice, Jane Alexander not only uncovered the truth about her aunt’s murder but also championed the cause of countless others seeking closure in the wake of tragedy.