A new method of DNA analysis has helped identify multiple victims in cold cases nationwide.
The lab at University of California, Santa Cruz has been conducted a new type of DNA tests with hair. Officials in New Hampshire contacted the scientists who were able to use the new test help identify victims in the cold case murders at Bear Brook State Park in Allenstown, New Hampshire.
The Bear Brook Murders, sometimes called the Allenstown Four are four female murder victims found in Bear Brook State Park. Two bodies were found in 1985 and two more were found in 2000. The victims were believed to have died between 1977 and 1981.
In June 2019, investigators were able to identify the victims; the woman was Marlyse Honeychurch, and two of the three girls were identified as her daughters, Marie and Sarah. They were last seen in California in 1978. Investigators believe New Hampshire with serial killer Terry Rasmussen, who went by the name Bob Evans in New Hampshire was responsible for the murders. DNA showed the third girl is Terry Rasmussen’s daughter but is not related to the other victims. Rasmussen died in prison after being convicted of killing another woman.
Since the victims have been identified, other law enforcement agencies have requested the DNA test to help solve more cold cases resulting in a backlog.
“I really like that we’re helping, solving crimes, and I like that we’re able to bring justice for these crimes,” said UC Santa Cruz doctorate student Josh Kapp who worked on the team that developed the test.
Source: WMUR9
