Fairfax County Police Department

Robin Warr Lawrence was 37 years old in 1994 when someone broke into her Virginia home and stabbed her 49 times ... killing her and leaving her 2-year-old daughter alone for two days until a neighbor discovered her body.

For years, police couldn't find a culprit ... until new DNA testing led them to a man who claims he would've been a serial killer if not for his wife and children. Warr and Lawrence Family

The whole story's being laid out in a new episode of " 48 Hours " which will introduce the world to Stephan Smerk ... the man who last year pled guilty to murdering Robin and was sentenced to 70 years in prison in March 2025.

At the original crime scene in November 1994, DNA evidence was collected -- specifically blood from a bathroom towel.

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