Golden State Killer: DNA From Genealogy Website Cracked Case

SACRAMENTO, CA — A mouth swab that someone innocently submitted to genealogy websites to learn about their family history turned up an incredibly dark secret - they were related to the Golden State Killer. That's according to the Sacramento Bee, which cites unnamed sources within the Sacramento District Attorney's Office.

Officials revealed on Wednesday that Joseph James DeAngelo was arrested and charged with murder. He was named by authorities as the serial killer, serial rapist and prolific burglar known as the Golden State Killer, the Original Nightstalker and the East Area Rapist who terrorized California for 12 years from 1974 to 1986.

At a news conference on Wednesday, Sacramento District Attorney Anne Marie Schubert revealed that DNA had provided the break in the case. DNA was collected from those crime scenes decades ago and a "discarded" DNA sample was collected from Joseph James DeAngelo, although details of what that sample was or how it was obtained were not revealed.

Also not disclosed, was the link to genealogy websites that the Sacramento Bee is now reporting. The websites or site have not been disclosed.

Also See:

• DNA Also Solved This California Cold Case Murder
• Golden State Killer: 5 Chilling Theories Once Seen As Crazy
• Golden State Killer's Orange County Homicide Detective Reflects
• Golden State Killer, Nightstalker Caught Decades Later: Cops
• Joseph James DeAngelo: 5 Things To Know About Golden State Killer
• Golden State Killer: A Timeline Of Terror
• $50,000 Reward For Cold Case Serial Rapist, Killer

Read the full Sacramento Bee report about genealogy DNA.

-Booking photo of Joseph James DeAngelo via Sacramento County Sheriff's Office