In a remarkable breakthrough, forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) has once again proven its power by solving a decades-old cold case involving the murder of Roxanne Leigh Wood. The case, which relied on a highly degraded DNA sample, represents a landmark in the use of FGG technology. The Michigan State Police, Niles Post, in collaboration with Identifinders International, announced the identification of 67-year-old Patrick Wayne Gilham as the perpetrator of the 1987 murder. Gilham has since pleaded No Contest to Second Degree Murder and agreed to a minimum sentence of 23 years in prison.
In This Article:
The Murder of Roxanne Leigh Wood
On February 20, 1987, Roxanne Wood was found murdered in her kitchen in Niles Township, Berrien County, Michigan. She had been stabbed multiple times and sexually assaulted. Her husband, Terry Wood, discovered her body after returning home. Despite numerous investigative efforts, no match for the DNA found at the crime scene was made in the CODIS database, leaving the case unsolved for decades.
The DNA sample available for the Wood homicide was highly degraded, consisting of only two tubes of dried blood, making it challenging for traditional DNA testing methods. The complexity of the case was further heightened by the unknown original quantity of the sample, which created significant technical hurdles in processing.
A Breakthrough with Forensic Genetic Genealogy
The investigation took a turn when the Michigan State Police enlisted the help of Identifinders International, a company specializing in FGG. By using innovative genetic genealogy techniques, they were able to analyze the degraded DNA and connect it to a relative of the perpetrator, eventually leading to the identification of Patrick Wayne Gilham.
Colleen Fitzpatrick, President of Identifinders, emphasized the difficulty of the task: “This case was the toughest technical challenge we have faced, but it shows that we should never give up hope. We are grateful to the Michigan State Police for having faith in us and making the careful decisions needed to process the DNA and solve the case.”
Recognition and Collaboration
The successful resolution of the case is a testament to the dedication of law enforcement and forensic experts. Detective Sergeant John Moore of the Michigan State Police expressed his gratitude: “Thank you so much for your hard work and dedication. This case would have gone unsolved forever. There’s no way we could have done this without you.”
Identifinders also thanked former independent contractor Gabriella Vargas for her contributions to the case.
Identifinders International provides fee-based forensic services to law enforcement agencies and medical examiners, using genetic genealogy to solve cold cases and identify unidentified remains. The company’s work on the Wood homicide is another example of how FGG can successfully resolve even the most challenging cases, bringing closure to families and justice to victims.
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