Eugene Police say they now have a composite rendering of an at-large suspect in three cold case murders. As KLCC’s Brian Bull explains, authorities – and grieving relatives – hope the breakthrough leads to an arrest.
The three murders all happened roughly 30 years ago. Using DNA evidence from the crime scenes, a company called Parabon Nano Labs used what it calls Snapshot Phenotyping…which predicts the physical appearance and ancestry of a suspect.
EPD Detective Jennifer Curry says this could help solve the murders of victims Gladys Hensley, Janice Dickinson, and Geraldine Toohey.
“The goal is to generate new investigative leads," says Curry.
"We feel like we have a lot of good evidence in this case. But we need investigative leads, so that we can attach that DNA to a person.”
The EPD paid $3600 for each DNA analysis, and got its suspect sketches in September.
One rendering shows the possible suspect at 25, the other at 55, both with average weight.
Kay Mascall, sister of victim Janice Dickinson, says it gives her hope that the culprit will be caught.
“I just want to ask you to please come forward, no matter who small you might think what you know or saw, let them decide if it’s important here," she says to anyone listening who may have tips for the investigation. "Our family would really appreciate that.”
Tips can be called in to (541)682-5162.
Copyright 2018, KLCC.