- Kathryn Donohue, 31, found brutally murdered in Maryland parking lot in 1979
- DNA evidence preserved for 45 years led to genetic genealogy breakthrough
- Rodger Zodas Brown, 82, arrested in North Carolina with no prior suspect connections
- Case marks Maryland's oldest solved homicide using forensic genealogy techniques
- Family expresses gratitude after 45-year wait for justice
In a landmark development for forensic science, Maryland authorities have closed the state's longest-running active homicide investigation through innovative genetic genealogy methods. The 1979 murder of Kathryn Donohue, a 31-year-old secretary from Arlington, Virginia, remained unsolved for four decades until technological advancements enabled detectives to identify 82-year-old Rodger Zodas Brown as the prime suspect.
The breakthrough comes as law enforcement agencies nationwide increasingly rely on genetic genealogy, combining DNA analysis with historical family tree research. Since the 2018 identification of the Golden State Killer through these methods, over 400 cold cases have been resolved nationally according to FBI statistics. Maryland alone has seen a 300% increase in cold case closures since adopting the technique in 2019.
Prince George's County Police Chief Malik Aziz emphasized the case's significance during Tuesday's press conference: This arrest proves our commitment to pursuing justice regardless of elapsed time. The same forensic rigor applied to recent crimes helped unravel a 45-year-old mystery.The department's Cold Case Unit collaborated with FBI specialists and Parabon NanoLabs, a Virginia-based DNA technology firm pioneeringSnapshot Multiomic Analysis.
Regional parallels include Baltimore County's 2021 resolution of a 1986 double homicide using similar methods, demonstrating Maryland's emerging leadership in forensic innovation. Challenges persist, however, with only 12% of cold cases nationwide containing viable DNA according to Department of Justice estimates. The Donohue case's successful outcome required both preserved biological evidence and cross-referencing with commercial genealogy databases containing over 40 million profiles.
Legal experts anticipate increased scrutiny of genetic genealogy protocols as more cases reach trial. Maryland's 2023 Genetic Privacy Act imposes strict guidelines on law enforcement database usage, requiring judicial approval for familial DNA searches. Brown's extradition hearing next week will test these evolving legal frameworks while Donohue's family prepares for long-awaited courtroom proceedings.
