DNA test solves 45-year-old double-murder mystery in Montana

  • 📰 CTVNews
  • ⏱ Reading Time:
  • 60 sec. here
  • 2 min. at publisher
  • 📊 Quality Score:
  • News: 27%
  • Publisher: 99%

Canada Headlines News

Canada Latest News,Canada Headlines

A genealogy database used to match a family's DNA with evidence found at a 1973 crime scene has led investigators to identify the long-dead suspect in the strangulation killing of a young married couple, a Montana sheriff said Monday.

Linda and Clifford Bernhardt, both 24, were killed at their Billings-area home in a case that would stymie investigators for decades.

Relatives of the victims attended a news conference in which Linder named Caldwell as the suspect. The family issued a statement thanking the sheriff's office for its work, but made no further comment and asked for privacy. Hundreds of interviews were conducted, and police at one point even brought in a psychic in their desperate search for clues to a crime described in a newspaper article as "the most sensational unsolved murder case in Billings history."

"We were obsessed with it," Goodwin said. "These are two young people who didn't deserve what happened to them. They didn't do anything. They came home on a Tuesday night and they were murdered." In 2015, the sheriff's cold case unit enlisted a Reston, Virginia, technology company, Parabon NanoLabs, to analyze the DNA by comparing it to genetic samples available through a public genealogy database. That process ultimately narrowed the list of suspects to Caldwell and his brother, who is still alive and living outside the area, said Vince Wallis, a former detective captain with the sheriff's office who now works for the Billings Police Department.

 

Thank you for your comment. Your comment will be published after being reviewed.
Please try again later.
We have summarized this news so that you can read it quickly. If you are interested in the news, you can read the full text here. Read more:

 /  🏆 1. in CA

Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

DNA of Jack the Ripper believed to be foundFrom CTV News Channel: Genetics Professor Turi King discusses if famed serial killer Jack the Ripper has finally been identified. Not really. Been 130yrs. Your original tweet about this was more accurate.
Source: CTVNews - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »

'Poor science': Geneticists doubt claim DNA identifies Jack the RipperSeveral geneticists are criticizing the publication of a study that claims to have identified the notorious serial killer Jack the Ripper using forensic evidence obtained from the shawl of one of his victims.
Source: CTVNews - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »

What my DNA told me: Avoid fast food, eat vegetablesIt’s tempting to think your DNA holds clues to your ideal diet
Source: VancouverSun - 🏆 49. / 61 Read more »

Surrey mother found guilty of murdering her eight-year-old daughterLisa Batstone will be sentenced on June 12 for second-degree murder.
Source: VancouverSun - 🏆 49. / 61 Read more »

26-year-old man charged with attempted murder in stabbing of Montreal priest during massRev. Claude Grou was released from hospital Friday night after suffering minor injuries in the attack. ...you mean 26 year old terrorist!
Source: globeandmail - 🏆 5. / 92 Read more »

B.C. mom guilty of 8-year-old's murder: judgeA father spoke out after learning his ex-wife was found guilty of second-degree murder in the death of their eight-year-old daughter.
Source: CTVNews - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »

26-year-old charged with attempted murder in Montreal priest stabbingA 26-year old man has been charged with attempted murder in the stabbing of a Catholic priest during morning mass at Montreal's St. Joseph's Oratory on Friday. But not a hate crime?
Source: CTVNews - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »

Break in 1999 double murder cold casePolice in Alabama have arrested a man in the 1999 murders of teens Tracie Hawlett and J.B. Beasley. it was the TREE people ! I see it now. Well I truly hope they get the bastard whoever it is I couldn't imagine losing one of my children I just couldn't possibly imagine/and I really don't want to🍁
Source: CTVNews - 🏆 1. / 99 Read more »

Nikola Vucevic's double-double helps Magic shut down 76ers - Sportsnet.caNikola Vucevic had 28 points and 11 rebounds, and the Orlando Magic held the Philadelphia 76ers without a field goal for a stretch of nearly 12 minutes Monday night in a 119-98 victory.
Source: Sportsnet - 🏆 57. / 59 Read more »