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Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Cold case murder solved
2. Historic murder case closed
The Colorado Springs Police Department has finally closed a cold case dating back to 1977, solving the murder of 14-year-old Maria Loraine Honzell. Honzell was found dead from stab wounds in an apartment where she was babysitting. Advances in DNA technology led to the identification of William Charles Kernan Jr. as a suspect, despite no DNA match due to his cremation. The Fourth Judicial District Attorney’s Office is confident of Kernan’s involvement in Honzell’s murder. Detective Tracey Thompson credits genetic genealogy technology for moving the case forward after 47 years. The Colorado Springs Police Department urges the public to come forward with any information on cold cases.
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Colorado Springs Police Department Closes 1977 Cold Case
In a significant development, the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD) has announced the closure of a cold case dating back to 1977. The case involves the murder of 14-year-old Maria Loraine Honzell, whose body was found at the Suncrest Apartments off North Nevada Avenue in Colorado Springs.
The Tragic Incident
On the night of February 7, 1977, Maria Honzell was discovered dead in the apartment of a woman who had hired her as a babysitter. The woman returned home late in the evening to find Honzell with multiple stab wounds, while her own children were asleep in their rooms. Despite extensive investigations at the time, CSPD was unable to identify a suspect due to the lack of conclusive evidence.
Advancements in DNA Technology
Over the years, as DNA technology advanced, CSPD revisited the case and sent preserved evidence to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for further analysis. CBI was able to extract a male DNA profile from blood stains found on Honzell’s clothing. However, the DNA did not match any profiles in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).
A Breakthrough in 2019
In 2019, CSPD enlisted the help of Parabon NanoLabs to utilize DNA and geological databases in the search for a match. Through this process, William (Bill) Charles Kernan Jr. emerged as a suspect of interest. Despite the lack of DNA evidence directly linking Kernan to the crime – as his body had been cremated and he had no living biological relatives – investigative leads pointed towards his involvement.
Case Closed
After a thorough review of all evidence, the Fourth Judicial District Attorney’s Office concluded that William C. Kernan Jr. was responsible for Maria Honzell’s murder. The case, which had remained unsolved for 47 years, has now been officially closed. Detective Tracey Thompson of the CSPD Cold Case Department expressed gratitude for the advancements in genetic genealogy technology that facilitated the resolution of this long-standing mystery.
Appeal for Information
Despite the closure of this case, Colorado Springs Police Department emphasizes that all cold cases remain open, and they encourage the public to come forward with any information that could assist in solving other unsolved crimes. The department is committed to pursuing justice for victims and their families.
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