9 Cold Cases Reopened and Solved

Cold cases have long fascinated both law enforcement and the public, leaving lingering questions and a sense of injustice. However, recent advancements in forensic technology, combined with persistent investigative efforts, have led to breakthroughs in several unsolved mysteries.

The Golden State Killer

One of the most notorious cold cases in recent history, the hunt for the Golden State Killer spanned decades. This elusive serial rapist and murderer terrorized California in the 1970s and 1980s. In 2018, investigators used DNA evidence and genealogy databases to identify Joseph James DeAngelo as the perpetrator. This groundbreaking approach marked a turning point in cold case investigations, showcasing the power of genetic genealogy in solving crimes.

The Lady of the Dunes

In 2018, Richard Hanchett embarked on a journey to uncover the identity of his birth mother, who had placed him for adoption in 1958. Using Ancestry.com, he submitted his DNA and identified his mother as Ruth Marie Terry from Tennessee.

Tragically, he discovered that she had been reported missing many years ago. Fast forward to 2022, the FBI officially matched the Lady of the Dunes to Ruth Marie Terry through DNA testing. Although her remains had been exhumed in 2000 for DNA collection, it wasn’t until advancements in genetic genealogy that her identity was established. Hanchett, who had initiated the search for his unknown biological mother four years prior, willingly provided a DNA sample at the investigators’ request, confirming Ruth Marie Terry as his biological mother. Subsequent investigations revealed that Guy Rockwell Muldavin, Terry’s now-deceased husband, was likely responsible for her death. Muldavin was also suspected in the deaths of his wife and stepdaughter in 1960.