Melissa Wolfenbarger's father, Carl Patton, was the notorious "Flint River serial killer."
She was a 21-year-old "wife and mother who disappeared 27 years ago," WSB-TV reported.
In 2024, her husband, Christopher Wolfenbarger, was accused of her murder on the basis of "new DNA evidence," the station reported.
However, a jury has now acquitted him, after disturbing testimony from her mother about the serial killer dad, according to Court TV, which reported that Melissa's remains, "including her severed head, were found in trash bags in April and June 1999." She was not identified until 2003, however.
"In 1999, Ms. Wolfenbarger's head was found on Avon Ave. SW. A few months later, more of her severed remains were found in the area," Atlanta police wrote in a news release. "On August 6, 2024, Atlanta Police arrested Christopher Wolfenbarger for the murder of Melissa Wolfenbarger."
According to Court TV, Christopher claimed his wife, who had a temporary protection order against him at one point, left on her own, and he denied murdering her.
In one troubling moment during the trial, Melissa's mother, Norma Patton, spoke about her husband, Carl.
According to People, Carl murdered five people in the 1970s and died in prison in 2024. Norma received immunity in a plea deal in exchange for testifying against him, and at her son-in-law's trial, she opened up about helping Carl, People reported. Carl was arrested in 2003.
"I helped him dispose of the bodies,” Norma said from the witness stand, according to People.
“So you were involved?” the defense attorney asked.
“Yes,” Norma responded, adding that she loved her husband despite the fact he was a serial killer.
According to Court TV, Norma also testified that her daughter had a troubled relationship with her husband.
She "spoke of her daughter’s volatile relationship with Christopher, which began when Melissa was just a freshman in high school," Court TV reported. "As Melissa frequently ran away to be with Christopher, Norma felt compelled to intervene."