Eight cold cases cracked after decades of mystery
The articles show how innovative DNA technology solves cold cases after decades. Investigators use genetic genealogy and national DNA databases to connect suspects or identify victims. New DNA methods help law enforcement reopen cases.
A man is charged with murder after DNA from a 1990 rape kit is linked to a cold case. A 39-year-old murder victim found in a Florida orange grove is identified through testing and family DNA. The remains of a young Colorado mother killed in 2007 are matched to a suspect by DNA gathered at the crime scene. Hikers find a skull in the Utah wilderness; three decades later, genetic genealogy uncovers the man’s name.
NO. 1: MAN RAPED WOMAN, KILLED HER AND HER BROTHER IN 1990, OFFICIALS SAY. NOW, HE’S CHARGED
He’s accused of stabbing the siblings at their Georgia apartment. | Published June 27, 2024 | Read Full Story by Olivia Lloyd
NO. 2: SKULL FOUND BY HIKERS IN CREVICE IN RUGGED AREA IDENTIFIED 30 YEARS LATER, UTAH COPS SAY
DNA testing helped lead to an identification, deputies say. | Published December 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by Daniella Segura
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NO. 3: ARREST MADE IN 2007 KILLING OF YOUNG COLORADO MOM, OFFICIALS SAY. ‘ALWAYS HAD FAITH’
“We never gave up hope.” | Published March 18, 2025 | Read Full Story by Sara Schilling
NO. 4: ACCUSED KILLER FINALLY REVEALED BY DNA ‘BREAKTHROUGH’ DECADES LATER, CA COPS SAY
“Although the truth won’t bring him back, it brings answers and hopefully closure for a family who has been waiting for both for a long time now,” San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan said. | Published April 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Daniella Segura
NO. 5: 72-YEAR-OLD ACCUSED OF STABBING NEIGHBOR 17 TIMES IN 1991 COLD CASE, FL COPS SAY
DNA from a drinking straw linked him to the killing, police say. | Published April 22, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mark Price
NO. 6: MAN KILLED IN ORANGE GROVE 39 YEARS AGO IDENTIFIED AS MISSING DAD, FL COPS SAY
He disappeared while driving to Miami for what he said was horse-related business, investigators said. | Published April 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Olivia Lloyd
NO. 7: WOMAN’S LEGS FOUND IN DUMPSTER IN 2003 COLD CASE, CA COPS SAY. HUSBAND SENTENCED
“This was a brutal, calculated murder that shattered the lives of Laurie’s loved ones, who then had to endure nearly 20 years of unanswered questions and unimaginable grief,” a district attorney said. | Published May 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Daniella Segura
NO. 8: REMAINS FOUND IN 1985 ID’D AS MAN LAST SEEN LEAVING FOR WORK, CA OFFICIALS SAY
“I think for the families, it’s relief,” a coroner said of the man’s identification. | Published May 26, 2025 | Read Full Story by Daniella Segura
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.