A decades-old cold case homicide that has haunted the city of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, since September 1981 has finally been solved. While the perpetrator’s identity is now known, justice cannot be served as the individual responsible for the crime, Ronney James Lee, passed away in 2005. In this article, we will delve into the details of the case and the remarkable technological advancements that led to this breakthrough, providing a sense of closure for the family and community of the victim, Laura Kempton.
The Discovery and Investigation
On the morning of September 28, 1981, the lifeless body of 23-year-old Laura Kempton was found in her Portsmouth residence by a police officer serving a court summons. The initial investigation revealed that Kempton was last seen entering her apartment alone after a night out with a friend. An autopsy later confirmed that she had died from severe head trauma and that the fatal incident occurred in the early hours of the same morning. Despite collecting physical evidence from the crime scene, the perpetrator remained unidentified, eluding justice for over four decades.
Identifinders International’s Involvement
In March 2017, Identifinders International joined the investigation, utilizing forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) techniques to determine the offender’s last name through a comparison of the crime scene Y-profile to the Y-STR genetic genealogy databases. Unfortunately, no match was found, and the suspect remained at large.
Advanced DNA Technology: A Turning Point
The case took a significant turn in 2022 when advanced DNA technology enabled Identifinders International to perform FGG SNP testing on multiple DNA samples recovered from the crime scene in 1981. This breakthrough genealogy analysis, combined with additional evidence from further analysis in 2023, ultimately led to the identification of the individual responsible for Kempton’s tragic death—Ronney James Lee.
Ronney James Lee’s Demise
Ronney James Lee passed away from acute cocaine intoxication at the age of 45 on February 9, 2005. At the time of Laura Kempton’s homicide, Lee was 21 years old. His untimely death prevented the authorities from arresting and prosecuting him for the crime.
Seeking Closure Through Justice
The New Hampshire Attorney General’s office has concluded that, based on the comprehensive evidence gathered during the investigation, if Ronney James Lee were still alive, he would have faced charges of first-degree murder. The charges would have been related to the intentional causing of Kempton’s death while engaged in the commission of, or attempting to commit, aggravated felonious sexual assault. Alternatively, he would have been charged with purposefully causing Kempton’s death by striking her with a blunt object.
A Bittersweet Closure
While the case can now be officially considered “solved,” the inability to bring the perpetrator to justice due to his death leaves a bittersweet sense of closure. The New Hampshire Attorney General, John Formella, expressed his hope that this conclusion and announcement would offer some solace to Laura Kempton’s family and the community. He commended the relentless efforts of the Portsmouth Police Department, Identifinders International, and all law enforcement partners who contributed to the investigation and resolution of this long-standing case.
Republished courtesy of New Hampshire DOJ and Identifinders International.
