Spotlight: Kenneth Mains
When a death row inmate starts spilling his secrets, there’s only one person to call to connect them to cold cases: Detective Kenneth Mains. Widely regarded as one of the nation’s top cold case investigators, Mains is a critical figure in solving long-standing mysteries. Now, his critical work in unlocking the truth behind convicted killer Joseph Naso, with the help of fellow inmate William A. Noguera, is front and center in Death Row Confidential, a new series from Oxygen and Wolf Entertainment. We chatted with Detective Mains about the story behind the show, what he’s learned from his time in the field, and what this work means to him.
Q: How did you become interested in pursuing a career as a detective?
A: Natural curiosity. I was always intrigued by true crime, and I loved watching Unsolved Mysteries. Charles Manson and his “Family” was a big fascination of mine growing up. I wanted to know how someone could inspire others to commit violent acts. I’m still fascinated by it.
Q: What are some lessons you’ve learned about life from your time in this field?
A: You never know what people do behind closed doors. I’ve done so many search warrants in people’s homes that the things you see you would never, ever expect from a person.
Q: Tell us about Death Row Confidential. What was it like to work on the show?
A: This show has been three years in the making, and it’s been a really tedious process but well worth it. Fireside Pictures, in my opinion, are the best in the industry with how they work to get the story correct. I was able to take small clues from a death row inmate and solve four previously unsolved murders and give resolution to families. For me, that’s what it is all about.
Q: Tell us about your relationship with William A. Noguera — how did you form a connection to him, and what was it like to work with him to gather information about Joseph Naso?
A: Noguera reached out to me via his attorney and asked if I would be interested in helping him solve a cold case. I had never heard of him, but I certainly heard of San Quentin’s death row, where he was housed. I was intrigued, and after vetting him and his information, I found Bill to be credible and offered my services pro bono. I am in the business of solving cold case homicides, it is what I do and have done for decades. How could I say no to solving a case and helping a family? I just didn’t know it would end up being four families I helped. Bill was great to work with. He’s articulate, genuine and has a wealth of knowledge on serial killers —I mean he has lived with and observed them for 40 years. I welcome that knowledge.
Q: What is your favorite episode of Death Row Confidential?
A: I haven’t watched yet — I want to take it in at the same time the audience does. But my favorite part to film was solving the Charlotte Cook murder. It was by far the most difficult, but when things started lining up, the feeling you get is indescribable.
Q: What do you hope viewers take away from the show?
A: Being a real cold case detective is not for everyone. You have to have a fiery passion for it and have the internal fortitude to never give up hope or quit. My father and the Marine Corps installed those attributes in me and I am thankful for that. You have to be able to deduce probabilities from possibilities, until the suspect shows himself to you. You have to get up from the couch and put boots on the ground and make it happen. That’s how you solve cold cases.
Catch Detective Kenneth Mains in Death Row Confidential, Saturdays at 9pm ET/PT on Oxygen.
