A suspect in a nearly 29-year-old attempted murder cold case recently was identified using advanced DNA technology known as familial DNA.
In May 1995, investigators from the Indiana State Police and Scott County Sheriff’s Office investigated an attempted murder, assault and robbery that occurred at a rural Scott County residence.
Evidence, including DNA evidence, was collected when the case was initially investigated. Numerous leads were followed at the time with no clear suspects being identified, according to a news release from Sgt. Carey Huls, public information officer for the ISP Sellersburg Post.
With the advancement in DNA technology, the collected DNA was entered into the national DNA database in August 2000. This resulted in no matches to known individuals being found.
In 2018, the use of familial DNA was being used as the latest investigative tool in cases where a DNA sample had been collected of an unidentified and unknown suspect. This technique involves comparing the DNA sample against databases of known individuals to look for family members of potential suspects. When a family member is identified, investigators can use investigative tools and genealogy to identify a suspect.
The familial DNA testing was completed in August 2023 by Parabon Laboratories with funding from Seasons of Justice, a nonprofit group that assists law enforcement in solving unsolved violent crimes. A close family relative of a suspect was initially identified by this DNA testing.
An exhaustive investigation was then carried out by detectives, lab analysts, intelligence analysts and well-known genealogist CeCe Moore to finally identify a suspect months later, Huls said.
Once a potential suspect was identified, further investigative techniques and testing was conducted to confirm the results. The suspect was in his early 30s when the crime occurred. The investigation determined he lived near the scene of the crime when it occurred and was able to be connected to the victim in the case through subsequent interviews and investigation.
Investigators learned the suspect moved out of state after the crime occurred and later died in 2003.
ISP Detective Lt. Delmer Gross, detectives Matt Busick and Brian Busick and former Scott County Sheriff John Lizenby and Detective Rick Barrett worked closely together to bring this nearly 30-year-old case to a conclusion.
Investigators also remained in close contact with the Scott County Prosecutor’s Office throughout the case and had the prosecutor’s office review the results of the investigation.
While no charges are able to be filed in this case, Huls said investigators are pleased to be able to bring this case to a close.
“This case was solved due to the work of skilled investigators, the cooperation of professionals with expertise in a number of areas and the latest DNA technology,” Huls said.
ISP has a policy of not naming potential suspects unless and until formal charges are filed. Therefore, the suspect’s identity will not be released, Huls said.