06-22-2018, 05:28 PM
Familial DNA Sample Identifies Suspect in 30-year-old Cold Case
The methodology used to identify the suspect in the California 'Golden State Killer' serial murders/rapes is being successfully used in cold case investigations in other states as well.
A suspect was charged last Friday in the following Washington cold case after investigators matched crime scene DNA to a DNA sample uploaded to a genealogy website.
The DNA sample had been uploaded by a distant relative of the suspect who was looking to trace the family tree.
![[Image: 052318_TS_genealogy-murderers_feat.jpg]](https://www.sciencenews.org/sites/default/files/2018/05/main/articles/052318_TS_genealogy-murderers_feat.jpg)
In 1987, a young Canadian couple, Tanya Van Cuylenborg, 18, (left) and Jay Cook, 20, (right) was killed while on a trip to Seattle. Tanya was raped and shot in the back of the head. Jay was beaten to death with stones.
A Washington state trucker who authorities say was linked by a controversial new DNA technique was charged with two counts of aggravated first-degree murder.
![[Image: talbott.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&w=400&h=225&crop=1]](https://tribkcpq.files.wordpress.com/2018/05/talbott.jpg?quality=85&strip=all&w=400&h=225&crop=1)
^ William Earl Talbott II, 55, is the suspect. Investigators worked through family members to eventually get to Talbott.
Talbott pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/suspect-lin...th-murder/
The methodology used to identify the suspect in the California 'Golden State Killer' serial murders/rapes is being successfully used in cold case investigations in other states as well.
A suspect was charged last Friday in the following Washington cold case after investigators matched crime scene DNA to a DNA sample uploaded to a genealogy website.
The DNA sample had been uploaded by a distant relative of the suspect who was looking to trace the family tree.
In 1987, a young Canadian couple, Tanya Van Cuylenborg, 18, (left) and Jay Cook, 20, (right) was killed while on a trip to Seattle. Tanya was raped and shot in the back of the head. Jay was beaten to death with stones.
A Washington state trucker who authorities say was linked by a controversial new DNA technique was charged with two counts of aggravated first-degree murder.
^ William Earl Talbott II, 55, is the suspect. Investigators worked through family members to eventually get to Talbott.
Talbott pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/suspect-lin...th-murder/