1. Colorado Springs police solve cold case murder
2. Teen babysitter stabbed to death solved by Colorado Springs police.
Accident – Death – Obituary News : Police in Colorado Springs have cracked a cold case dating back to 1977, where a teenage babysitter was brutally stabbed to death. Thanks to advancements in genetic genealogy DNA analysis, investigators were able to finally bring closure to the family of the victim, who had been waiting nearly 50 years for justice to be served.
The tragic incident took place in the late hours of February 7, 1977, when law enforcement received a distressing call regarding a death in the 5400 block of North Nevada Avenue. Upon arriving at the scene, officers discovered the lifeless body of 14-year-old Maria Loraine Honzell, who had succumbed to multiple stab wounds to her chest and neck. Maria had been babysitting for a neighbour with two young children who resided in the same apartment complex. When the neighbour returned home around 11:20 p.m., she made the harrowing discovery of Maria’s lifeless body in the main bedroom. Fortunately, the children, aged 6 and 8, were unharmed and found sleeping peacefully in their beds.
An autopsy revealed the extent of Maria’s injuries, showcasing the brutality of the attack she had endured. Despite exhaustive investigative efforts at the time, authorities were unable to identify a suspect. Over the ensuing decades, advancements in DNA technology provided a glimmer of hope for solving the case. A male DNA profile was extracted from a bloodstain on Maria’s clothing, but no matches were found through the Combined DNA Index System.
In a pivotal turn of events in 2019, investigators turned to Parabon NanoLabs for genetic genealogy DNA analysis, leveraging public commercial DNA databases to uncover potential leads. By analysing the bloodstains on the blue jumpsuit Maria wore on the fateful night, researchers were able to trace genetic matches and construct family trees to identify possible common ancestors. Through meticulous descendance research, a person of interest emerged – William Charles Kernan, Jr., also known as “Bill.” Tragically, Kernan had passed away in 2010, and with no living biological relatives to confirm his DNA, the case faced a significant hurdle.
Despite this obstacle, the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office expressed confidence in their conclusion that William C. Kernan, Jr. was the individual responsible for Maria Honzell’s murder. Kernan, a former college student who was acquainted with the woman Maria was babysitting for, had been to the apartment complex on previous occasions, adding weight to the circumstantial evidence linking him to the crime.
The resolution of this long-standing case serves as a testament to the relentless pursuit of justice by law enforcement officials and the enduring hope of families seeking closure for their loved ones. The use of genetic genealogy DNA analysis has opened new avenues for solving cold cases and bringing perpetrators to account, even decades after their heinous acts. As the wheels of justice turn, the memory of Maria Honzell lives on, her story serving as a reminder of the resilience and determination of those seeking answers in the face of unspeakable tragedy..
– Colorado Springs police murder solved
– Teen babysitter stabbed death 1977.
