Amy Baker was 18 years old when she was slain in 1989.
She was last seen alive in Fairfax County. Baker had been visiting family in Falls Church before heading back home.
Her abandoned vehicle, discovered by a Virginia State Police trooper was towed. But it wasn’t until her family reported her missing that her body was found in a wooded area next to an exit ramp. Detectives pieced together the events leading to her death. She had run out of gas and was walking to a gas station. Her killer intercepted her and strangled her to death.
Links to Both Murders
Nearly 40 years after the murders, authorities in Virginia employed new DNA technologies. And two cold cases may finally be solved through DNA.
This groundbreaking approach in forensic investigation enables the comparison of DNA samples. It is compared against public genealogy databases, leading to the narrowing down of suspects to specific geographic areas, families, or individuals.
With the aid of genetic genealogy, the Fairfax County Police Department collaborated with the Fairfax County Office of the Commonwealth Attorney to pursue charges against Elroy Harrison in connection with Amy Baker’s murder.
