DNA technology helps police catch suspect in Washington cold case

It started with cutting-edge DNA technology used to create a mug shot of what a murder suspect could have looked like.

But it was a different, emerging technique that helped nab a suspect Thursday, and some say that technique could be the future of solving cold cases.

After investigators received hundreds of tips about this composite -- which they released this month -- now they have a suspect. And tonight on KIRO 7 at 7, we’re going in depth on how they caught him.

The above pictures show an age-progressed suspect created with DNA left behind at the scene of the crime. Last April, detectives told us he's the man who killed 18-year-old Tanya Van Cuylenborg and her 21-year-old boyfriend, Jay Cook, in 1987.

Thursday they arrested a man in SeaTac in connection with this crime.

Tonight, only on KIRO 7 at 7, we're showing you the new technique -- also used in the Golden State Killer case -- to catch him.

We talked to the pioneer genealogist about how it was applied and the high-profile local case she wants to tackle next.

More news from KIRO 7

• Arrest made in 1987 Snohomish County cold case
• Bike activists block lane in Downtown Seattle
• Santa Fe High School shooting: 10 dead, 10 injured, suspect charged with capital murder
• Suspect abandons stolen car, jumps into Nisqually River from I-5
• If you can't afford Seattle, why don't you just move?

DOWNLOAD OUR FREE NEWS APP

Cox Media Group