Public DNA Database Leads To Cold Case Killer

Public DNA Database Leads To Cold Case Killer

In 1999, 23-year-old Jennifer Watkins was found, her body wrapped in plastic, in the stairwell of the hospital where she worked.

Now, Colorado Springs police report her sexual assault and murder has finally been solved, thanks to DNA collected at the scene.

Newser reports that thanks to the help of a public genetic genealogy database, cold case investigators were led to Ricky Severt.

Although Severt died in a car crash in 2001, familial DNA collected from his surviving relatives shows Severt cannot be excluded as the prime suspect.

Both Watkins and worked at the same hospital.

And while Severt cannot be brought to justice, police are sure they've finally found their man.

After all these years, we are grateful to finally give Jennifer Watkins’ family the answers they deserve.

Colorado Springs Police Chief Vince Niski