News Genetics

Genetic sleuthing again IDs a murder suspect in a cold case

Crime-scene DNA let investigators find distant cousins and fill in the family tree

Tanya Van Cuylenborg and Jay Cook

COLD CASE FIRED UP  In 1987, a young Canadian couple, Tanya Van Cuylenborg, 18, (left) and Jay Cook, 20, (right) was killed while on a trip to Seattle. Police used a new, and controversial, DNA detective method to find and arrest a suspect in the case.

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office

By Tina Hesman Saey

- More than 2 years ago

For the second time in less than a month, DNA probes of family trees in a public database have helped police catch a murder suspect.