The Tragic Case of Julie Hansen
The quiet town of Naperville, Illinois, was shaken on July 7, 1972, when 15-year-old Julie Hansen went missing. After leaving her home on her bicycle to watch a baseball game, Hansen never returned. The next day, her body was discovered in a rural area several miles from her home. Julie had been sexually assaulted and brutally stabbed multiple times.
Despite numerous efforts to solve the case, the murder of Julie Hansen went cold. Over the years, extensive DNA testing was conducted. No match was ever found in the CODIS (Combined DNA Index System), leaving the case unresolved for nearly five decades. Chief Robert Marshall of the Naperville Police Department echoed the community’s sentiments, stating, “This brutal crime haunted our community. Many in the department kept Julie’s picture on their desks for years.”
The Breakthrough with Forensic Genetic Genealogy
By 2020, with the case considered “beyond hope” due to degraded DNA evidence, the Naperville Police Department made a last attempt. The department contacted Identifinders International, a company specializing in forensic genetic genealogy, a cutting-edge technique gaining attention for solving long-cold cases.
The sample was in dire condition, containing only 360 picograms of DNA—approximately 0.3 trillionths of a gram. Such a low quantity posed a significant challenge, but Identifinders persevered. Over the next six months, the team worked tirelessly to prepare viable genetic genealogy data from this degraded sample, all without any guarantee of success.
Solved in Just 2 Hours
In an extraordinary development, once the DNA data was uploaded to GEDMatch, the case that haunted Naperville for nearly 50 years was solved in just two hours. The breakthrough led to the identification of Barry Lee Whelpley, a 76-year-old former resident of the Naperville area, as the suspect in the murder of Julie Hansen. Whelpley, a retired welder, was arrested at his home in Minnesota.
The swiftness of the arrest, after half a century of waiting, astonished law enforcement and forensic experts alike. Colleen Fitzpatrick, President of Identifinders International, stated, “It was one of the highest risk cases we’ve addressed to-date because of the very poor condition of the DNA. Solving such a difficult case fuels our passion for supporting law enforcement by solving cases that were thought to be over the horizon of modern technology.”
Challenges in Genetic Genealogy
The successful conclusion of Julie Hansen’s case demonstrates both the power and limitations of forensic genetic genealogy. The use of genetic genealogy databases such as GEDMatch has proven transformative for law enforcement. Yet, in this instance, the degraded and low-quantity DNA sample presented significant hurdles that might have stymied previous efforts. As such, the case serves as a testament to the advances in technology that allow forensic scientists to extract usable DNA information even in challenging conditions.
The work of Identifinders International also highlights the growing role of private genetic databases in solving cold cases. GEDMatch and other platforms, often used by people seeking family history information, have become essential tools in cracking unsolved crimes, offering new hope for justice even after decades.
The Importance of Collaboration
The Hansen case underscores the importance of collaboration between law enforcement and forensic experts. While the Naperville Police Department had long worked to bring Julie’s killer to justice, it was through the application of forensic genetic genealogy that the case finally found resolution. The Naperville Police Department’s Detective John Reed reflected on the emotional gravity of the breakthrough: “We are very happy and filled with a sense of tremendous meaning. It has been a very long journey for our entire organization.”
A New Era in Forensic Investigations
The 1972 ‘Beyond Hope’ homicide of Julie Hansen, solved in two hours thanks to forensic genetic genealogy, represents a significant milestone in modern forensic science. Cases once thought unsolvable due to the degradation of evidence are now within reach, illustrating the profound impact of technological advancements on criminal investigations.
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For Julie Hansen’s family, the arrest of Barry Lee Whelpley marks the closing of a painful chapter. For the forensic community, it showcases the growing capabilities of DNA science in delivering justice for victims, even after many years.
Conclusion: The Future of Cold Case Solutions
The rapid resolution of Julie Hansen’s 1972 murder offers hope for other cold cases languishing in the archives. Forensic genetic genealogy, combined with traditional investigative techniques, is transforming how law enforcement tackles long-standing crimes. As technology advances and databases expand, more “beyond hope” cases may soon find justice.
Source: Identifinders International. Photo credit: CBS collage of Julie Ann Hanson, image courtesy NapervillePD
