DNA Technology Gives Cold Case Murder Suspect A New Face

FEDERAL WAY, WA - King County detectives have a new lead available in a nearly 30-year-old cold case thanks to new DNA technology.

Sarah Yarborough, 16, was raped and murdered on Dec. 14, 1991 while on her way to Federal Way High School for a dance competition. Her body was found later that day, and at least six people came forward to describe a suspect.

The witnesses said the killer was a white man, 6 feet tall, and with long blonde hair.

Recently, King County detectives sought help from a Virginia company that specializes in DNA phenotyping. Using DNA from the killer found at the crime scene, Parabon NanoLabs recreated the killer's features - his eye color, hair color, and other unique features.

The new image of the killer created by Parabon bares a resemblance to police sketches created in 1991 based on witness accounts.

This isn't the first time detectives have uses DNA technology in the Yarborough case. In 2012, the killer's DNA was used to map his genetic line. The killer likely descended from a family that came to North America on the Mayflower in 1630. The killer's last name could be Fuller, the 2012 analysis found.

The new images of the killer are approximate, according to the King County Sheriff's Office, but detectives are hoping someone out there recognizes him. If you have information about the suspect, call the King County Sheriff’s Office at 206-296- 3311.

Caption: The first images shows what the killer likely looks like today. The second image is him at age 25, and the third is the sketch created in 1991.

Images courtesy King County Sheriff/Parabon NanoLabs