A California cold case from 1984 has finally been solved with DNA, officials announced, bringing long-awaited justice to the victims and their families.
In the Shasta County Sheriff’s press conference, authorities confirmed the arrest of Roger Neil Schmidt Sr., 64, in connection with the murder of Terry Arndt and the sexual assault of an 18-year-old woman near Burney High School.
“This is a monumental accomplishment,” Sheriff Michael L. Johnson said during a press conference. “But it’s also a bit bittersweet.”
🔗 Read the full case summary at dnasolves.com
🔗 Sheriff’s press conference on Facebook
DNA Technology Cracks the Case
In 2025, Shasta County authorities submitted forensic evidence to Othram, a Texas-based company specializing in forensic genetic genealogy, hoping that advanced testing could identify the long-elusive suspect.
Using Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing®, scientists at Othram developed a full DNA profile. Funding for the analysis came from Project 525, a non-profit that supports cold case investigations.
