Cold case investigator talks Golden State Killer suspect
Cold case expert Paul Holes reacts on 'The Story' after an arrest is made in the Golden State Killer case.
Investigators in California were able to crack the case of the Golden State Killer using genealogical websites that featured genetic information from a relative, prosecutors said Thursday.
Joseph James DeAngelo, 72, was arrested Tuesday at his Citrus Heights home after a DNA sample matched that of the Golden State Killer — a mass murderer who's believed to be responsible for at least 12 murders, 45 rapes and 120 home burglaries through the state in the 1970s and 1980s.
GOLDEN STATE KILLER SUSPECT ARRESTED IN CALIFORNIA
The Sacramento County District Attorney's Office said Thursday that investigators used DNA from a crime scene years ago and compared it to other DNA samples from family history websites which users send their DNA to in order to learn more about their ancestry.
The district attorney's office "explored online family trees that appeared to have matches to DNA samples from the East Area Rapist's crimes," The Sacramento Bee reported. "They then followed clues to individuals in family trees to determine whether they were potential suspects."
Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones, left, talks to reporters on Wednesday about the arrest of Joseph James DeAngelo, seen in photo, on suspicion of committing a string of violent crimes in the 1970s and 1980s after a news conference. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)
Officials on Wednesday said that DNA helped investigators identify DeAngelo, and led to the case being solved within the last six days.
72-year-old former cop arrested in Golden State Killer case
Authorities say DNA led to the arrest of a former police officer suspected of dozens of slayings and sexual assaults in the '70s and '80s.
Sacramento County Sheriff Scott Jones referred to the genetic material as "discarded DNA," but authorities at the time refused to give specifics about how it was collected or matched to the suspect.
Authorities last Thursday reportedly were able to pinpoint that DeAngelo could be a suspect — which led to investigators setting up surveillance in his Citrus Heights neighborhood, and ultimately obtaining the "discarded DNA."
DeAngelo, a former police officer, was taken into custody as he left his home, located 16 miles northeast of Sacramento. Jones said that the 72-year-old was surprised when deputies arrested him and told them he had a roast in the oven.
He's so far been charged with eight murders.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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