Man Charged in 2003 Cold Case Rape and Killing Linked to Recent Machete Attacks

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DNA Evidence Links Suspect to 2003 Cold Case

A man has been charged in the rape and killing of Rebecca Park, a woman who went missing in 2003, after recent machete attacks led to his arrest. Philadelphia authorities revealed that DNA evidence allegedly connects Elias Diaz, 46, to the cold case that occurred 20 years ago in Philadelphia’s Fairmount Park.

During a news conference, Police First Deputy Commissioner John Stanford stated that Diaz was apprehended on Sunday in relation to the machete attacks that took place last month. The attacks involved a bicyclist along a trail in Pennypack Park.

Upon arrest, Diaz initially refused to provide his name but was identified through his fingerprints. Subsequently, DNA samples were collected from him. Investigators now believe that both the DNA evidence and other collected evidence link Diaz to the 2003 killing. As a result, Diaz is facing charges of murder, rape, aggravated indecent assault, and possession of an instrument of crime, among others, in connection with Park’s slaying.

In addition to the charges related to the cold case, Diaz is also facing charges of aggravated assault in connection with the two recent machete attacks that occurred in November.

Source: PA Courts

Background on Rebecca Park’s Disappearance

Rebecca Park, a 30-year-old student, went missing in 2003 after going for a jog. Her body was discovered in Fairmount Park, buried under dirt, leaves, and rocks. DNA evidence was collected at the crime scene.

During the six-month period when Park disappeared, two other women were attacked and gave matching descriptions of their assailant. In April 2003, a Hispanic man on a bike attacked one woman, and DNA evidence was collected from that incident. Another woman was attacked in October 2003 and provided a very similar description of her attacker. Philadelphia police revealed these details on Tuesday.

Furthermore, in 2007, a sexual assault of a 25-year-old woman occurred in close proximity to the recent machete attacks. The victim also described a male on a bike as the perpetrator. DNA evidence was collected from this incident as well.

DNA Analysis and Investigation

All DNA samples obtained from the various crime scenes were submitted to a database, and it was determined that they matched. Frank Vanore, the first deputy police commissioner of field operations, stated, “We knew that we had a pattern of DNA, and we knew we had the same offender in these cases.” However, the identity of the suspect remained unknown until recent advancements in DNA techniques.

In 2021, investigators utilized the DNA of the unknown male to create a composite sketch. This sketch was then sent to a genealogy lab, which employed publicly available genealogy databases to identify potential family members. The extensive search yielded over 1,000 family members across the United States, including Puerto Rico. Working closely with multiple law enforcement partners, the investigation managed to narrow down the family tree to one branch, leading to the identification of Elias Diaz as a person of interest.

District Attorney and the Power of Science

District Attorney Larry Krasner highlighted the significance of DNA techniques in solving the case, stating, “This case goes back to ’03. This suspect has been riding a bike and has been outrunning justice since then.” Krasner emphasized that advancements in DNA analysis enabled them to finally identify Diaz, adding, “Science outran this guy’s bicycle.” He drew a parallel to the capture of the Golden State Killer in California, attributing Diaz’s arrest to the power of science.

Upcoming Hearings and Additional Assault Charges

Diaz is scheduled to face a preliminary hearing on January 3 regarding the November machete attacks. Another preliminary hearing related to the 2003 killing is scheduled for January 8, according to online court records.

Please note that CNN has reached out to the Defender Association of Philadelphia, which is representing Diaz, for comment.

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Source: CNN https://ca.news.yahoo.com/man-charged-20-old-philadelphia-062732162.html