Gillis continued, “We can use that information to be able to build out and identify who they are.”
Idaho murders
Genetic genealogy played a key role in finding Bryan Kohberger, accused of murdering 4 college students. Last November Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin, were killed in Moscow, Idaho.
The Idaho murders have been a high-profile case. DNA was found on a knife sheath left at the scene of the murders.
According to sources, Idaho police were able to make significant progress in the case thanks to this cutting-edge DNA analysis.
The power of genetic genealogy was previously demonstrated in 2018 when it led to the identification. And the arrest of Joseph DeAngelo, aka the Golden State Killer. After decades of evading justice for a string of crimes, including murders and rapes throughout California, DeAngelo was finally apprehended.
Paul Holes, a former investigator with the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office specializing in cold cases, praised genetic genealogy for its role in narrowing down a vast pool of suspects in the case.
