Police in Northern California announced the arrest of a man in the 42-year-old cold case rape and murder of a teenage girl, citing new DNA evidence.
According to inmate records, James Unick, 62, of Willows, about 85 miles northwest of Sacramento, was booked late Monday into the Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of murder, rape, forced lewd acts with a minor, kidnapping for molestation, and a special circumstance allegation of murder during a kidnapping.
He was held without bail. It was unclear Tuesday night whether he had legal representation. The Sonoma County Public Defender did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
Sara Ann Geer, 13, was discovered slain in downtown Cloverdale, roughly 120 miles southwest of Willows, on May 24, 1982, according to police. She had been abducted and raped, they claimed.
DNA evidence was acquired, but technology was not advanced enough to utilize it to locate a culprit until recently, according to Cloverdale police.
“A male DNA profile was identified from the evidence and through the use of modern DNA genetic genealogy technology,” a department spokesperson stated.
The widespread availability of consumer kits for DNA traits and heritage monitoring has resulted in massive databases for police to match evidence to DNA. Similarly, investigators can search databases of suspects, defendants, and convicted criminals forced to provide DNA for near matches that could lead them to family.
Investigators using genealogy may not get an exact hit, but they can get near enough to determine whether a suspect is within a group of siblings or other relatives. In their search for an exact DNA match, investigators may conduct surveillance and covert operations to collect abandoned food, cups, and eating devices from a potential suspect.
The “Golden State Killer” Joseph DeAngelo and “Grim Sleeper” Lonnie Franklin Jr. were arrested and convicted using DNA genealogy.
Police began exploring resurrecting Sara Ann’s cold case in 2019, and in July 2021, they made it official after hiring a private investigation agency to assist, according to a statement at the time.
According to a police statement, investigators believed that “the latest technological advancement” might throw light on Sara Ann’s death.
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Detectives also blamed social media reports about her case for complicating the investigation. “Misleading information posted on social media … has already threatened to jeopardize the integrity of the investigation moving forward,” the Cloverdale Police Department reported in 2021.
Cloverdale Mayor Todd Lands stated on Tuesday, saying, “Today, we stand united in solidarity with the Geer family as we witness the culmination of years of hard work and perseverance by our law enforcement officials.” This arrest is not only a step toward closure but also a reminder of our dedication to providing safety and justice for everybody in Cloverdale.”