The shocking murder of Kim Dorsey in 2012 sent shockwaves through the Jacksonville community due to its horrific details. Tragically, Kim was sexually assaulted and then murdered, with her throat slit. Her husband, Derrick Dorsey, discovered her lifeless body after returning home from a long shift.
The upcoming episode of Dateline: The Smoking Gun, titled In Cold Blood, will delve into the grim details surrounding Kim Dorsey’s murder, airing on Thursday, October 3, 2024, on Oxygen at 8 p.m. EST. The official synopsis of the episode states:
“A hunt for clues as detectives relentlessly pursue critical evidence that cracks the case; each investigation is packed with twists—false leads, wrong suspects, and dead ends—until police finally uncover the smoking gun and achieve justice.”
Five Disturbing Details About Kim Dorsey’s Murder
1) Kim Dorsey Was Found Dead on Her Bedroom Floor on October 28, 2012
On October 28, 2012, Derrick Dorsey found Kim lying in a pool of blood on the bedroom floor of their home located at 3617 Eastbury Drive. Derrick had just returned from a 24-hour shift with the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department.
Upon discovery, Kim had suffered severe injuries, including brutal beatings that left her eyes bloodied. According to 2WGRZ News, she had been bound, bludgeoned, and sexually assaulted prior to her murder.
2) The Autopsy Report Confirmed Sexual Assault Before Her Murder
Kim Dorsey’s hands were found bound with zip ties, and her body was in an advanced state of rigor mortis, indicating she had been killed the previous day. Her throat had been slit with a kitchen knife, resulting in her bleeding to death.
Disturbingly, the autopsy revealed that Kim had been raped before her murder, raising questions about the nature of the encounter, particularly regarding consent, even after the case was resolved.
3) DNA Evidence from Her Body Led Authorities to the Perpetrator, Lance Kirkpatrick
Initially, authorities suspected a home invasion due to the disheveled state of the crime scene. However, a breakthrough came when an anonymous tip implicated Lance Kirkpatrick, leading to further investigation.
Subsequently, DNA evidence linked Kirkpatrick to the crime, resulting in charges of first-degree murder, burglary of a dwelling with an assault or battery, and sexual battery with a deadly weapon or great physical force, according to court documents.
4) Kim Dorsey and Lance Kirkpatrick Had a Prior Sexual Relationship
Investigating Kim’s murder revealed that she had been sexually involved with Lance Kirkpatrick, who was a friend of Derrick Dorsey. After being discharged from the Army for failing a drug test, the couple had allowed Lance to stay with them until he could find employment.
Kirkpatrick also worked briefly at Kim’s construction business. According to News4JAX, Kim and Lance shared a gym membership, where they trained frequently and developed a flirtatious relationship that escalated into physical intimacy.
5) Lance Kirkpatrick Is Serving Three Consecutive Life Sentences for First-Degree Murder
Following his arrest, Lance Kirkpatrick faced trial where his defense attempted to argue that the murder was unintentional. His attorneys claimed Kim had lured him into bed and threatened him with a gun over confrontations regarding Derrick.
Despite the defense’s claims of self-defense, the prosecution argued that he had broken into the house and killed Kim intentionally. Ultimately, Lance was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences in prison, as reported by The Florida Times-Union.
Learn more about the details surrounding Kim Dorsey’s tragic murder by tuning into the Dateline: The Smoking Gun episode airing on Thursday, October 3, 2024, on Oxygen.
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