12:45 PM EDT, Fri March 18, 2022. Drexel was last seen on April 25, 2009, while on a spring break trip with friends in Myrtle Beach, SC. I knew," Jeff Highsmith said. He was identified as a suspect five years after Smith was found, but with no physical evidence to tie him to the murder, he was never arrested. Looking back, some of the struggles you go through is you feel alone because of what you went through, you lost your mother, he told police. Jones arraignment is slated for March 1, according to the Superior Court clerks office. Highsmith disappeared from Fort Worth, Texas, Aug. 23, 1971, when she was just 21 months old. FOUND: MELISSA HIGHSMITH'S FAMILY 'OVERJOYED' AFTER BEING REUNITED WITH SISTER ABDUCTED IN 1971. A number of true crime updates came to light in 2022, with many cold cases solved through forensic genetic genealogy. Mark Beyer, who was 2-years-old when his mother was murdered. Going over the old case files, they zeroed in on Larry David Smith, who had been interviewed in connection with the slaying in 1973 but was never seriously considered a suspect. According to local news station WFAA, federal kidnapping charges, which have no statute of limitations, could still be filed, but only if certain criteria are met, such as the kidnapper crossing state lines or using mail to conduct the kidnapping. Market data provided by Factset. William DeRoos was married to Michelle DeRoos in the summer of 1971 in Burlington, about two weeks before the murder. The family did not see Melissa for decades until November. Market data provided by Factset. Investigators said the biggest breakthrough in the case happened this year after they obtained a new sample of Grims DNA to compare with the older evidence. One March day in 1983, she turned down a stranger's request for a date and a short time later, her body was pulled from a nearby river (pictured), shocking what was at the time a cozy, tight-knit community, according to the Los Angeles Times. A look at the best and most underrated in entertainment, music, and sports in 2022. Wise died in a car crash in 1999, but that fact did nothing to diminish the power of the statement given by the FBI's Atlanta office in the wake of the resolution of the case. But she was disappointed to learn that Grim had died in 2018 of natural causes at age 58 and will not pay for robbing her and her siblings of a childhood with a mother. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Finally, in 2022, Pennsylvania State Police used genetic genealogy testing to identify the killer a local man named Scott Grim law enforcement officers said at a news conference last week. He died in the hospital three days later, and his murder would become the oldest such unsolved crime in the history of the county, according to the New York Post. Leads fail to pan out, witnesses change their tunes or disappear altogether, and collected evidence fails to provide the iron-clad proof required for an arrest and conviction; for mere mortals, it can all become exceedingly frustrating. Mark Baron. It has been hard growing up without a mom, she said. Both families tried to report the couple missing, but were told by authorities that they probably didn't want to be contacted. In addition, forensic genetic genealogy has given back the names of Jane and John Does who had remained unidentified for decades. Meanwhile, Reyes still misses her mother. As we've seen, DNA technology is growing by leaps and bounds every year and while no workable DNA profile could be created at that time, it was a different story just seven years later. But if the person isnt a known offender, they wont be in the CODIS system and, therefore, no match would be present. Mr. Her killer, Eric Drummond, was a customer at her restaurant, and it's likely due to the lack of an obvious connection with Smith that it took police five years to even identify him as a suspect. Like so many other cold cases, the eventual identification of the killer hinged on one thing: The collection of DNA evidence at the scene of the murder, and its careful preservation. The young couple was then positively ID'd as Dean and Tina Clouse, who had recently relocated to Lewisville, TX from central Florida. In 1971, Melissa Highsmith was 22 months old when a babysitter kidnapped her in Fort Worth, TX. Despite ongoing searches, his disappearance remained unsolved for over four years. Crimes have become much easier to solve if DNA is present. Mark Baron. Beichlers case was revived in 2019 when prosecutors released composite images of a man whose DNA was supposedly left at the scene. There are cold cases, and then there is the murder of James Tappen Hall, a Montgomery County (Maryland) Sheriff's deputy who was moonlighting as a security guard at a local country club when he was shot in the club's parking lot in October 1971. Cold case solved 34 years later when police trace DNA evidence from licked envelope | CNN Her slaying went unsolved for 34 years. However, this was the '80s, and it would take a while for the science of genetic genealogy to help the cops pin down their suspect. Unfortunately, the 62-year-old mystery has only been partially solved the cops are still on the lookout for Gallegos' abductor, although it seems a safe bet that if they're still alive, the extremely long, doggedly determined arm of the law will catch up to them eventually. At the time, the San Diego County Sheriffs homicide unit conducted an extensive investigation, but the department came up short on identifying a suspect until now. In April 1982, U.S.. Jeff Highsmith, Melissas younger brother, said his family had undergone tests through genealogy service 23andMe and received the results on Nov. 22 showing there was a match with Melissas kids. A blood sample found in Louises car back in October 1989 was tested for DNA. Patrick Gilham pleaded no contest to murder of Roxanne Wood. No one deserves what happened to her.. The Chiverella cold case is the latest decades-old investigation solved with the help of genetic genealogy. To confirm, Forte was exhumed last month so that investigators could take a DNA sample to match the suspects profile. Unfortunately for criminals and murderers, this means its much easier to get caught, especially for those who committed crimes before DNA testing. Police determined that Mr. Smith had indeed lived in the area at the time and had, in fact, been arrested for but never convicted of sexual assault and attempted murder in Las Vegas in 1998. A match was made, confirming Edward Geddes as the murderer and giving a modicum of closure to the family of Lina Reyes Geddes, who for 20 years had been known to Utah law enforcement only as the "Maidenwater victim," after the area in which she was found. 2. Why did he kill a young woman who was just trying to take care of her children? Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. A year later, Robertson moved to Indiana and lived there until he died at age 39, in a house fire on November 25, 1999, investigators said. The answers that my family received is closure and closure is everything even after so much time had passed.. In this case, investigators were looking for relatives whose DNA matched those of the unidentified suspect in Dahns murder. An initial connection to Jones was established in 2002 through DNA evidence, according to the document. Greg Harder of the Elkhart County Police noticed a possible piece of DNA evidence that was missed. "We determine if someone is missing and if someone is missing with a vehicle. On July 10, 1991, a young woman was murdered at the Whitehall Motel in El Dorado, AK, by her ex-boyfriend and alleged pimp, James McAlphin. Over 230 department personnel had a hand in the investigation over the years, without including civilians in the crime lab, Baron added. In May 1987, 23-year-old Shannon Lloyd of Orange County, California, was murdered in her apartment. Missing Melissa Highsmith's mother poses next to a composite sketch of her daughter's suspected kidnapper in a Fort Worth Star Telegram newspaper article. The case went cold. All rights reserved. He died in 1980 of natural causes, possibly a heart attack, according to police. In recent years this method has helped solve some of the nations most high-profile cold cases, including the one of the notorious Golden State Killer. The extraordinary violence and cruelty of these murders demonstrates the extreme danger he presents to society, the court documents said. The results came back to match a man named Marcus Love. But shes glad her family finally knows her mothers killer. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Please keep after. Cold case team says it's ID'd Zodiac Killer. The man behind the abduction, rape and death of upstate New York teenager Brittanee Drexel pleaded guilty in October to a case that went cold after the 17-year-olds disappearance during spring break 2009. The more than four decades old homicide case of Wilkowitz has finally been solved and the identity of the killer is now known, Suffolk . CNN Sans & 2016 Cable News Network. Discovery Company. We share these cases to highlight their resolution and bring closure to the victims and the community . CeCe Moore, scientist and genealogy expert at Parabon Nanolabs, was able to match the DNA to William DeRoos within hours of research through genealogical records and public records. 'Help me find my children': How race affects social media efforts to find missing kids. "Let this serve as a warning to every murderer, rapist, and violent offender out there," said Keri Farley, special agent in charge of the investigation. Investigators dont know much about Grim other than he lived in the nearby Hamburg, Pennsylvania, area. The case was revived in 2021 when Sgt. She also said DeRoos strangled her once, the same way Curran died. Using DNA from living relatives, the little girl was finally identified as Sharon Lee Gallegos, a 4-year-old who was abducted from her grandmother's home in Alamagordo, New Mexico 500 miles from where her body had been discovered in July 1960. In this case, it led back to Rueben Smith. Richard Cottingham, nicknamed the "Torso Killer" or "Times Square killer," allegedly admitted in December to killing five women on Long Island, New York, in the late 60s, early 70s. Most cold cases do not get solved, so it is still fairly a spectacular occurrence when one is. The most incriminating evidence: a cigarette butt found next to Curran's body that contained DNA evidence. This is why, in order to be a successful homicide detective, one must be possessed of an absolutely superhuman, ridiculously dogged level of determination. 2. Dean was reportedly involved with a Jesus People organization before his death. Two other possible suspects, who remain unnamed, were not properly ruled out nor disclosed to the defense, Mosby said. Cusicks parents reported her missing after the 23-year-old woman never returned home from a trip to the Green Acres Mall. They lived in the same apartment building as Curran. 5 Decades-Old Cold Cases Finally Solved Twenty-three-year-old Tonya McKinley had gone to Darryl's Bar & Grille in Pensacola, Florida, to celebrate the upcoming new year of 1985 but never returned home to her 18-month-old son. Reyes said one of her fondest childhood memories was taking walks with her mother and seeing her suddenly dance to random music playing in stores as they passed. 3K Followers. 00:00 Intro00:18 Nacole Smith03:55 Jessica Gutierrez 05:35 Patricia Cavallaro07:05 Susan Wint. I went to the streets. There was little evidence left at the scene, and they went unidentified until late 2021, when genealogical researchers tracked down the John Doe's sister. appreciated. appreciated. An undated image of Sharon Gallegos. Then Reyes got a call last week from a detective about a stunning development in the case. Genetic genealogys effectiveness in cold cases depends on the quality of crime scene DNA and whether it has degraded, State Police Trooper Daniel Womer said at a news conference last week. The police don't give up.". Before the judge overturned the conviction, prosecutors in Baltimore had asked for a new trial the previous week. The Burlington Police Department reactivated the case in 2019 when Lt. Detective Commander Jim Trieb put his whole team of detectives on the case. "They couldn't have possibly imagined the power that we would have at this time to actually use that to narrow it down to one person.". They declined to elaborate how they obtained his DNA when hes been dead for four years. The search for Melissa Highsmith had a rare happy ending. Nine-year-old Marise Chiverella was walking to school in March 1964 when she was kidnapped. The DNA was eventually matched to one Ray Chapa, who at the time of the murder was Loves 19-year-old neighbor. appreciated. Cold Case detectives couldnt figure out the connection between Robertson and Dahn. Consequently, we will continue to ask ourselves what would have been or could have been.. The case lay dormant for years until, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the killing in 2021, investigators decided to take a fresh look. Trieb said in a report that his team determined forensic evidence would be key to solving the case because of its age. This, combined with re-interviewing witnesses and reviewing statements, led investigators to finally gather enough evidence for an arrest. Police were hoping this was the break in the case they needed, but the DNA didnt return any matches. Melissa's sister, Sharon Highsmith, wrote on Facebook: Our finding Melissa was purely because of DNA, not because of any police/FBI involvement, podcast involvement, or even our familys own private investigations or speculations. The cops never took their eye off of Drummond despite the fact that he left the state shortly after committing the crime, and when improved DNA technology allowed them to develop a sturdy profile of Smith's killer, they zeroed in on him in earnest. She was a great mother.. 2023 Cable News Network. But that doesnt mean there wasnt some connection that we havent figured out yet, Womer said. You know you have family, you know you have family who loves you, but sometimes you do feel alone all the time.. Over the subsequent years, additional evidence was submitted for DNA testing and a significant advance was made in December 2021 when DNA traces linked to Jones were found on a jacket worn by Jacob Dewey at the time of his killing, the document said. The real Melissa Highsmith beside a colorized photo illustration of what she was believed to look like from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. Applying Modern Investigation Methods to Solve Cold Cases. As it happened, around this same time, Cates was in the hospital in North Carolina, and as Florida detectives were shoring up their case, Cates blurted out to a nurse that he had killed someone in Florida decades prior. The cases of Sophie Sergie and Marise Ann Chiverella went unsolved for decades, but thanks to DNA a. Brett Bowen sent DNA from Loves sexual assault for advanced DNA testing and forensic genealogy. More evidence, including Curran's clothes, was sent to a lab in Florida in 2022 where they performed new DNA-extracting techniques. And what went through his mind when he learned she had a family that loved her? Information about the babysitter has not been released, although Melissa said she contacted the woman who raised her, who admitted that she was the missing child. Using genealogy techniques, detectives discovered that the murderer had ancestral origins in the small Italian town of Gasperina, and that only a couple thousand people with such ties lived in the area at the time of the killing. Also known as investigative genetic genealogy, this relatively new practice involves finding criminals via companies that collect consumer DNA samples for genealogy purposes. 8:33 AM EST, Sun February 13, 2022, 20-year-old man helps solve cold case from 1964. Surveillance footage showed Drexel leaving her friend's hotel that night, but never returning to her own. For 34 years, Reyes, along with her two brothers and their grandmother, have wondered who killed Kane. Family members who knew Dahn described her as a goofy, funny person who loved to draw qualities Beyer said, he too, has within him. If you've ever thought that you may make a good homicide investigator, there is one important qualification (other than having an exceptionally strong stomach) that you should know about. Investigators analyzed Kanes clothing and found traces of an unknown mans DNA. In her pockets were two notes and some cash; one note clarified to police that the death had been a suicide, and the other directed them to use the cash for funeral expenses. Her death was later ruled a homicide, though a cause was not determined. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ", PHILADELPHIA 'BOY IN THE BOX' IDENTIFIED 65 YEARS AFTER BODY FOUND BEATEN, WRAPPED IN BLANKET. Story tips can be sent to stephanie.pagones@fox.com and on Twitter: @steph_pagones. Did you encounter any technical issues? 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. When the 17-year-old was found beaten to death in a New Jersey cemetery in July 1982, the small community of Blairstown responded with an outpouring of sympathy, raising funds for her burial and keeping the case in the public eye, according to the New Jersey Herald. 8:36 AM EDT, Fri August 26, 2022. Lee had disappeared and her body was found several weeks later, strangled. Known only as Kelly to protect her family's privacy, the woman's identity was finally revealed through DNA testing. After he'd moved to Texas, and his letters had stopped coming, his mother says she was contacted by a member of the organization about returning his car. The defendant bound Stacy Falcon-Dewey, beat her, orally raped her and likely shot her child to death in front of her before killing her. Two years later, in 1989, a California woman, Renee Cuevas, was also found murdered. the one of the notorious Golden State Killer. Did you encounter any technical issues? But, after 52 years, Curran's family finally has closure. The woman allegedly offered her clothes and sweets, but she refused, at which point she was forced into the vehicle. "We came into this like we come into all cases," AWP diver Doug Bishop explained. The case was partially resolved in 2005 when Richard Kinlaw serving a 20 years-to-life sentence in prison for the murder of another woman confessed in writing to Princess Doe's murder. Chiverellas siblings said that their parents never sought revenge or punishment to their daughters killer. Syed had been convicted of murdering his high school ex-girlfriend, Hae Min Lee, in 1999. Your effort and contribution in providing this feedback is much Despite his confession, Kinlaw couldn't be charged with the murder until positive identification of his victim was made and with that accomplished, a first-degree murder charge was filed against him in July 2022. Beyer said he was "blown away" when he heard how his mother's case had. Raymond Moody, 62, pleaded guilty Oct. 19, 2022, in Georgetown, South Carolina, to raping and killing 17-year-old Brittanee Drexel in 2009. The Ontelaunee Trail in Perry Township, where Kane's body was found, as seen in October 1988. "The DNA evidence ended up being so incredibly key," Moore said. Mr. Smith died by suicide in 1999.[1]. Our family now knows the identity of her murderer, said Radtke. The 25-year-old was stabbed over 40 times with her infant son in the room. Cold Cases We Were Surprised And Relieved To See Finally Solved Rima Pundir February 23, 2022 2.9k votes 606 voters 31.4k views List Rules Vote up all the cold cases that were closed in unexpected ways. Updated A man named Steve Branch was identified as a person of interest. Forte would have been 22 at the time of the crime. Due to decomposition, it was tough to determine the girl's age, let alone her identity; at the time, authorities believed her to be about 7 years old. Thats where genetic genealogy came in. Detective Lt. Jason Moran, Cook County Sheriff's Office, Special Victims/Forensic Services Unit. In 2009, Dawn and Chad Drexel lived every parent's worst nightmare. Here is a look at some of the top cold cases solved in 2022. Upon further testing, Loves blood was found to be mixed in with other samples of Reeds blood taken from the scene of the murder. The case was solved through modern DNA and genealogy technology and the careful preservation of evidence from the crime scene in 1971. According to CNN, police were bereft of leads despite the local newspaper running a front-page story seeking information from the public until 15 months later, when a mysterious letter from a "concerned citizen" appeared on the editor's desk. To date, this cold case is one of the oldest to be recently solved with DNA evidence.[2]. Vianne Falcon, Falcon-Deweys mother, told CNN affiliate KING on Wednesday that she was emotionally devastated by the loss of her daughter and grandson. The circumstances around what led up to her death remain a mystery, 34 years later -- but DNA evidence points to her killer. In 2007, Anita Knutson was a student attending Minot State University in North Dakota. After being known as Melanie, she plans to change her name to Melissa. The most stubborn cold case in the history of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, was finally cracked in 2022 thanks to an ingenious piece of investigative work. But while her killer was soon arrested and convicted, her identity turned out to be a longer mystery. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Rita Curran was violently murdered in her Vermont apartment in 1971 and the case remained a mystery for decades. COLD CASED SOLVED Once again, as with high-profile cases like the Golden State Killer murders and the Bear Brooke murders, the guys and gals at Parabon NanoLabs have uncovered the perpetrator in another cold case. 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