All articles tagged with #cold case
A suspect, Floyd William Parrott, 64, was arrested in Lincoln, Nebraska and charged with capital murder in Houston’s Aug. 23, 1990 double murder at 1300 Enclave Parkway. Victims Cheryl Henry (22) and Garland Andrew Atkinson (21) died from neck injuries. HPD's Cold Case Unit, with FBI and state partners, reopened the case in 2026; Parrott was arrested March 25, 2026 and awaits extradition to Harris County Jail.
After nearly 36 years, authorities charged Floyd William Parrott with the 1990 Lovers' Lane murders of Cheryl Henry and Andy Atkinson; renewed DNA analysis and a 2025 tip led to Parrott's arrest in Nebraska, and he awaits extradition to Harris County as families seek long-awaited answers.
German police arrested an 81-year-old man in Koblenz for the 1994 murder and sexual assault of American student Amy Lopez after advances in DNA technology and re-examining evidence led to a match between a saliva sample and DNA found in Lopez's jeans. The suspect had a prior 1999 conviction for attempted rape; his genetic data, once deleted, was re-accessed to secure the arrest, and he is now in pretrial detention as investigators continue the case decades after the crime.
In 1969, 17-year-old Mary Kay Heese disappeared after asking a cousin to attend a Sadie Hawkins dance in Wahoo, Nebraska; her body was found nearby, and the case remained unsolved for decades until a 2015 reinvestigation. Investigators focused on Joseph Ambroz and Wayne Greaser, with Ambroz—who knew Heese—ultimately arrested in 2025 and pleading no contest to conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, receiving two years in prison; Greaser had died by suicide in 1977. The renewed probe highlighted how Mary Kay’s wish to fit in and her trust in someone she knew contributed to the tragedy.
Decades after Debe Atrops was murdered in Beaverton, Oregon, a 2022 cold-case review used DNA testing on Debe’s coat and soil/mud analysis to reexamine suspects, including her estranged husband Bob Atrops. A 2025 grand jury indicted Bob, and a jury convicted him of second-degree murder after weighing evolving forensic evidence and disputed alibi details; prosecutors say the case involved motive, means, and opportunity, while the defense pointed to other explanations and questioned the strength of the DNA and mud links. Debe’s daughter and family describe the verdict as closure after a long, painful saga.
Skeletal remains found in 2006 on a Quinault Nation beach in Grays Harbor County, Washington, have been identified as Edwin Asher, a former Fossil, Oregon mayor who disappeared in 2006 during a crabbing trip and was presumed drowned. The identity was confirmed by Othram through DNA analysis and investigative genetic genealogy, closing a decades-long mystery surrounding his disappearance.
Almost 20 years after remains were found on a Taholah beach, investigators confirmed they belonged to Clarence Edwin 'Ed' Asher, a former Fossil, Oregon mayor who disappeared while crabbing in 2006, using DNA analysis and genetic genealogy.
An 82-year-old Michigan man, Gilbert Bernal Sr., has been charged with the murder of his wife Joan Bernal, who disappeared nearly 40 years ago in Joliet, Illinois. The case was reopened after new evidence, leading to a grand jury indictment and Bernal's arrest. The investigation revealed past domestic violence and the possibility that her body was buried under concrete, although she has never been found. Bernal is scheduled for a court hearing in January.
Lawrence police arrested David Zimbrick, a suspect linked to child sexual assault cases from 2000 and 2003, using DNA evidence and genetic genealogy technology similar to that used in the Golden State Killer case, after decades of investigation.
An 86-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the 1993 murders of Harry and Megan Tooze in Llanharry, Wales, after a forensic review of the cold case. The couple was shot and their bodies moved to a cow shed, with a previous suspect, Jonathan Jones, convicted and later released on appeal. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities seek more information.
Decades after Rhonda Fisher's murder in 1987, DNA analysis of preserved paper bags linked her killer to Vincent Groves, a prolific Colorado serial killer, providing closure to a long-unsolved case and highlighting advances in forensic science.
DNA evidence has recently linked a suspect to the 1998 murder of Sheryl Crandell, who was strangled at Prince George’s Hospital Center, though the accused will not face charges. The case remained unsolved for years until new forensic analysis provided a breakthrough.
Decades after Robin Lawrence's brutal 1994 murder in Virginia, DNA evidence and genetic genealogy led to the arrest of Stephan Smerk, a man who confessed to the crime, bringing closure to a case that had gone cold for years.
An army veteran, Stephan Smerk, was arrested and pleaded guilty to a 1994 Virginia murder after DNA testing linked him to the crime scene, leading to his 70-year sentence.
Decades after wrongful convictions, DNA from a discarded straw has led to the indictment of Richard Bilodeau for the 1984 murder of Theresa Fusco in Long Island, highlighting advances in forensic science and persistent pursuit of justice.