Crime & Safety
1993 Cold Case Murder Of Woman: Minneapolis Police Make Arrest
Police say an online genealogy website was used in the effort to identify unknown DNA obtained from the crime scene.
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minneapolis Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation announced an arrest in connection with the 1993 murder of Jeanne Ann Childs, 35, of Minneapolis.
Childs’ body was found in the bedroom of her Minneapolis apartment on the 3100 block of Pillsbury Avenue South on June 13, 1993.
Childs had injuries to her body the Hennepin County Medical Examiner determined led to her death.
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A suspect was arrested in Waite Park by police and is being held on probable cause of murder following a multi-year investigation.
In 2015, cold case task force investigators conducted a comprehensive case review in collaboration with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Forensic Laboratory.
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In 2018, in an effort to identify unknown DNA obtained from the crime scene, cold case investigators consulted with the FBI’s experts, and a private DNA company.
Through additional forensic DNA testing and online genealogy website investigation, the suspect’s DNA was identified as being consistent with DNA left at the crime scene.
“Our efforts to increase public safety and ensure justice has no timeline. This case is an excellent example of great collaboration between our law enforcement partners,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo in a statement.
“We all hope Jeanne’s family can finally find peace as a result of this tenacious effort by officers and agents,” said Jill Sanborn, Special Agent in Charge of the Minneapolis Division of the FBI.
“This case underscores law enforcement’s ability use every tool at its disposal to crack a case,” said Sanborn.
“The BCA Forensic Science Services is committed to helping investigators understand the facts of an incident. We are continually working with our partners to bring answers to victims of crime no matter when the crime happened,” said Drew Evans of the BCA.
The suspect is currently being held in Hennepin County Jail, pending the filing of formal charges by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.
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