Parabon NanoLabs
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Nanopharmaceuticals, forensic DNA phenotyping, genetic genealogy |
| Founded | 2008 |
| Founder | Steven Armentrout, Michael Norton, Christopher Dwyer |
| Headquarters | Reston, Virginia , United States |
Key people | Steven Armentrout (CEO and President as of 2018) |
| Products | inSēquio Design Studio, Snapshot, Keystone |
| Parent | Parabon Computation |
Parabon NanoLabs, Inc. is a U.S.-based firm located in Reston, Virginia that specializes in nanopharmaceutical development and provides DNA phenotyping solutions tailored for law enforcement agencies.
History
Established in 2008 by entrepreneurs Steven Armentrout, Michael Norton, and Christopher Dwyer, Parabon NanoLabs functions as a division of Parabon Computation, a company focused on computational software. As of 2018, Steven Armentrout held the positions of CEO and President. The organization concentrates on creating cancer therapies and synthetic vaccines utilizing advancements in nanotechnology and DNA phenotyping.
inSēquio Design Studio
Parabon created the inSēquio Design Studio software in partnership with the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, United States Army Research Office, and the National Science Foundation through the Federal Small Business Innovation Research initiative. This CAD tool facilitates the nanoengineering of DNA constructs and has played a key role in developing synthetic vaccines.
Snapshot
Snapshot is a DNA phenotyping service developed by Parabon NanoLabs that produces composite facial images derived from genetic material. The proprietary algorithms used to generate these images have been criticized for their lack of transparency and absence of peer-reviewed validation, eliciting concern among forensic specialists and civil rights advocates. While trait predictions such as hair and eye color are generally considered dependable, the accuracy of facial structure forecasts remains limited.
Despite these concerns, Snapshot has proven valuable in practical law enforcement applications, notably assisting investigators in North Carolina to identify a suspect involved in a 2012 double homicide. Changes to privacy policies affecting genetic genealogy platforms like GEDmatch could increase dependence on DNA phenotyping technologies. Competitors including Illumina, Inc. and Identitas AG offer comparable services. The U.S. Department of Defense invested about $2 million toward Snapshot’s advancement.
Keystone
Parabon NanoLabs was awarded a two-year contract by the United States Department of Defense to develop 'Keystone,' a software platform designed for forensic DNA analysis.
Genetic genealogy
In May 2018, Parabon appointed genealogist CeCe Moore to lead its genetic genealogy division, which initially comprised three genealogists. Working alongside U.S. law enforcement agencies, Parabon uploaded crime scene DNA profiles to GEDmatch to assist in suspect identification.
By November 2018, Parabon was engaged in approximately 200 cases with a lead generation success rate of 55%; by May 2019, the company reported resolving cold cases at an average pace of one per week. However, GEDmatch’s May 2019 update requiring users to opt-in for law enforcement access introduced obstacles for Parabon's investigative work.
As of November 2019, Parabon had initiated around 300 DNA searches and successfully solved close to 100 cases, although arrests were still pending in several instances. By May 2020, the company had contributed to nearly 500 cases with 109 suspect identifications.
In December 2019, GEDmatch was acquired by Verogen, a forensic DNA firm whose CEO Brett Williams pledged to improve data security measures and oppose police search warrants.
By mid-2020, facing restricted access to GEDmatch, Parabon increased its utilization of Family Tree DNA through collaborations with partner law enforcement agencies. Family Tree DNA employs an opt-out policy for U.S. users and retains its own genetic genealogy expert, Barbara Rae-Venter, renowned for her role in solving the Golden State Killer case.
On May 26, 2020, ABC debuted The Genetic Detective, featuring Moore and her team from Parabon, showcasing their work in genetic genealogy investigations.
This progression highlights Parabon’s growing influence within the forensic genetic genealogy sector and its strategic leadership role.
Case outcomes: Pending trial
The cases listed below pertain to individuals apprehended in connection with various crimes. Each suspect is considered innocent until legally proven otherwise. Convictions are denoted with a green highlight.
| Suspect(s) | Crime(s) and victim(s) | Crime location(s) | Date(s) of offense | Date Arrested | Case Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Felipe Vianney Hernandez Tellez | Rape and homicide of Adrienne "Sunny" Sudweeks, age 26 | Costa Mesa, California, USA | 1997-02-22 | Fugitive | DNA and fingerprint analysis linked Tellez, a Mexican citizen residing in Santa Ana, to the scene. Currently living in Oaxaca, Mexico, he has yet to be extradited. |
| Kenneth Canzater, Jr. | Murders of Candra Alston (25) and her daughter Malaysia Boykin (3) | Columbia, South Carolina, USA | 2011-01-07 | 2017-03-23 | Identified through palm print and DNA matching previous convictions; found guilty in 2020 of voluntary manslaughter and received a 20-year sentence. |
| Jason David Martinez and Kadian Andre Garfield Roper | Homicide of Michael Todd Hamilton, age 31 | Coral Springs, Florida, USA | 2011-07-11 | 2017-09-19 | Both men connected by DNA evidence; Martinez was convicted in June 2023 and given a life sentence. |
| Hugo Giron-Polanco | Sexual battery and rape charges | Davie, Florida, USA | 2010-11-26 | 2017-12-28 | Found guilty and sentenced to twelve years imprisonment. |
| Oscar Roberto Nunez Gonzalez | Sexual assault of a minor aged four | Mesa, Arizona, USA | 2017-01-09 | 2018-03-14 | Pleaded guilty in 2019; received a twenty-year prison term. |
| William Earl Talbott II | Murders of Tanya Van Cuylenborg and Jay Cook | Snohomish County, Washington, USA | 1987-11-18 | 2018-05-17 | Convicted of first-degree murder in June 2019; sentenced to two consecutive life sentences without parole. This case was the first resolved using genetic genealogy. |
| Gary Charles Hartman | Rape and homicide of Michella Welch (12 years old) | Tacoma, Washington, USA | 1986-03-26 | 2018-06-20 | Identified through DNA found on discarded napkin; sentenced to twenty-six years imprisonment in 2022. |
| Alexander Christopher Ewing | "Hammer Murders" involving the Bennett family plus related rape-murder | Aurora and Lakewood, Colorado, USA | 1984-01-16 | 2018-07-10 | Convicted July 2021; received three consecutive life terms. |
| Matthew Norman Dusseault | Stabbing homicide of Constance Gauthier (81 years old) | Woonsocket, Rhode Island, USA | 2016-03-23 | 2018-07-18 | DNA evidence matched crime scene; conviction occurred January 2025. |
| Michael Frank Allen Henslick | Fatal stabbing and sexual assault of Holly Cassano (22 years old) | Champaign, Illinois, USA | 2009-11-02 | 2018-08-28 | Convicted February 2020; sentenced to life without parole in June 2020. |
| Marlon Michael Alexander | Series of rapes targeting elderly women | Montgomery County, Maryland, USA | 2007–2011 | 2018-09-13 | Pled guilty; sentenced to life imprisonment. |
| Luke Edward Fleming | Rape and homicide of Deborah Dalzell (47 years old) | Sarasota County, Florida, USA | 1999-03-29 | 2018-09-16 | Sentenced to two life terms in February 2020. |
| Benjamin Lee Holmes Jr. | Armed robbery and murder of Christine Franke (25 years old) | Orlando, Florida, USA | 2001-10-21 | November 2018 | Convicted March 2023; sentenced to life without parole. |
| Christopher Quinn Williams | Multiple burglaries and assaults against women | Montgomery County, Texas, USA | 2015–2018 | 2018-12-08 | DNA linked him to several cases; convicted August 2022; sentenced to life imprisonment. |
| Robert Steven Wright | Murder of Renée Sweeney (23 years old) | Greater Sudbury, Ontario, Canada | 1998-01-27 | 2018-12-11 | Found guilty of second-degree murder March 2023 after trial postponements. |
| Jerry Lynn Burns | Murder of Michelle Martinko (18 years old) | Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA | 1979-12-19 | 2018-12-19 | Convicted for first-degree murder February 2020. |
| Russell Anthony Guerrero | Homicide of Jack Upton (30 years old) | Fremont, California, USA | 1990-12-17 | 2019-01-22 | Currently awaiting extradition from Arizona. |
| Michael A. Soares | Murder of John "Jack" Fay (66 years old) | Warwick, Rhode Island, USA | 2013-05-17 | 2019-02-05 | Arrested after DNA connected blood at crime scene; pleaded not guilty; convicted January 2023. |
| Steven Harris Downs | Rape and homicide of Sophie Sergie (20 years old University of Alaska student) | Fairbanks, Alaska, USA | 1993-04-26 | 2019-02-15 | Extradited from Maine; sentenced to seventy-five years imprisonment September 2022. |
| Thomas Lewis Garner | Murder of Pamela Cahanes (25 years old US Naval trainee) | Sanford, Florida, USA | 1984-08-04 | 2019-03-13 | Convicted May 2021; sentenced to life imprisonment. Also faces charges for a second murder in Hawaii. |
| Theresa Rose (Josten) Bentaas | Death of an abandoned newborn male infant | Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA | 1981–02–28 | 2019–03–08 | Convicted of manslaughter December 2021; handed a ten-year sentence with nine suspended. |
| Raymond Lawrence Vannieuwenhoven | Murders of David Schuldes and Ellen Matheys including sexual assault | Silver Cliff Wisconsin USA | 1976–07–09 | 2019–03–14 | Pled not guilty but convicted August 2021; sentenced to two consecutive life terms; died in custody June 2022. |
| Coley Lewis McCraney | Murders and sexual assaults on teenagers J.B. Beasley and Tracie Hawlett (both aged 17) | Ozark Alabama USA | 1999–08–01 | 2019–03–16 | Truck driver/preacher with no prior criminal record; convicted April 2023; sentenced to life without parole. |
| Todd Barket | Robbery and homicide of Sondra Better (68 years old) | Delray Beach Florida USA | 1998–08–24 | 2019–03–27 | Convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment after DNA linked via fingerprints from background check. |
| Terrence Miller | Rape and homicide of Jody Loomis (20 years old) | Snohomish County Washington USA | 1972–08–23 | 2019–04–10 | "Predator" arrested at age 77 by DNA from discarded coffee cup; pleaded not guilty. Committed suicide November 2020 shortly before verdict delivery. |
| Brian Leigh Dripps Sr. | Rape/murder of Angie Dodge (18 years old) | Idaho Falls Idaho USA | 1996–06–13 | 2019–05–15 | "First case exonerated by genetic genealogy"; Dripps confessed after DNA evidence emerged. Sentenced to life imprisonment June 2021. |
| Michael Whyte | Murder of Darlene Krashoc (US Army Specialist), age 20 | Fort Carson Colorado USA | 1987–03–17 | 2019–06–13 | Sentenced June 2021 to life with parole eligibility after 40 years served. |
| Ivan Keith | Series of rapes | Massachusetts USA | 1997–1998 | 2019–08–02 | Pled guilty on multiple counts including aggravated rape; received sentences totaling between forty-four and fifty years imprisonment. |
| Donald Frances McQuade | Murder of Shelley Connolly (16 years old) | Anchorage Alaska USA | 1978 | 2019–09–04 | Apprehended in Oregon through genetic genealogy; sentenced April 2024 to fifty years imprisonment. |
| Robert Tyrone Hayes | Serial homicides in Palm Beach/Daytona Beach Florida | 2005 – 2016 | 2019–09–15 | Received three life sentences without parole for three murders; trial ongoing for a fourth victim. | |
| Patrick Leon Nicholas | Rape/murder of Sarah Yarborough (16 years old) | Federal Way Washington USA | 1991–12–14 | October 2019 | Convicted May 2023; sentenced to forty-five years imprisonment. |
| Jonathan D. Hurst | Murders of Patricia Wilson (85) and Robert Wilson (64) | Sycamore Illinois USA | August 2016 | February 2020 | Convicted January 2025 following extradition from Ohio. |
| Phillip Lee Wilson | Sexual assault/murder of Robin Brooks (20 years old) | Sacramento California USA | 1980–04–24 | April 2020 | Convicted April 2022; sentenced to life without parole. |
| Joseph Matthew Gregory Jones | Homicide of Robert Romero (52 years old) | Santa Fe New Mexico USA | July 30 2018 | May 2020 | First Parabon-assisted case in New Mexico; convicted felony murder February 2023. |
| Alan Edward Dean | Sexual assault/murder Melissa Lee (15 years old) | Bothell Washington USA | April 14 1993 | July 29 2020 | Third arrest in Snohomish County via Parabon genetic genealogy; convicted March 2024; sentenced approximately twenty-six and a half years imprisonment. |
| Michael Allan Carbo Jr. | Sexual assault/murder Nancy Daugherty (52 years old) | Chisholm Minnesota USA | July 16 1986 | July 29 2020 | "First Minnesota case solved through investigative genetic genealogy"; convicted October 2022 with eligibility for life sentence after approximately seventeen years served. |
| Stephen Ray Hessler | Series of home invasions/sexual assaults | Greensburg Indiana USA | (1982 –1985) | (August) –17 –20 | "Identified as convicted felon through DNA from utility bill payment envelope"; convicted on multiple felony charges resulting in an aggregate sentence near six hundred fifty years imprisonment (March 2022). |
| David Lee Blair | Stabbing murder of George Washington Price (74) | Elizabeth City North Carolina USA | March 24 2016 | January 26 2021 | Arrest followed leads generated by Parabon-assisted genetic genealogy; held without bond. |
| Clayton Bernard Foreman | Rape/murder Mary Catherine Edwards | Beaumont Texas USA | January 15 1995 | April 26 2021 | Acquainted with victim and had prior sexual assault conviction; found guilty in 2024 with eligibility for life sentence after thirty years served. |
| Gustav Ryburn | Sexual assault | Vincennes Indiana USA | November 21 2008 | April 27 2021 | Convicted September 2022 receiving an eighty-year sentence. |
| Robert Arthur Plympton | Rape/murder Barbara Tucker (19) | Gresham Oregon USA | January 15 1980 | June 9 2021 | Apprehended during traffic stop; convicted March 2024 facing potential life sentence. |
Bruce A. Cymanski |
Kidnapping/murder Nancy Noga (17) |
Sayreville New Jersey USA |
January 7 1999 |
August 31 2021 |
First arrest in New Jersey using Parabon genetic genealogy techniques;
found guilty October 2024;
sentenced to life plus additional term.
|
Case outcomes: Admissions and pleas of guilt
The cases listed below involve individuals who confessed to their crimes and received sentences without undergoing a formal trial.
| Defendant | Crime(s) and victim(s) | Crime location(s) | Date(s) of offense | Date of arrest | Sentence details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| José Silvano Alvarez Jr. | Killings of Douglas "Troy" and LaDonna French | Wentworth, North Carolina, USA | 2012-02-04 | 2015-07-25 | DNA evidence linked him after his brother was excluded; Alvarez entered a guilty plea and was sentenced to two life terms without possibility of parole. |
| Shawn J. Lawson, Jr. | Series of rapes in Athens and Lancaster, Ohio | Athens, Ohio, Lancaster, Ohio, USA | 2006–2016 | 2017-05-08 | Confessed to numerous assaults spanning a decade beginning at age fifteen; received a forty-year prison term. |
| Justin Hansen | Attempted homicide of Brittani Marcell | Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA | 2008-10-11 | 2017-07-05 | Entered a no contest plea; sentenced to eighteen years with credit for time served. |
| Gary E. Schara | Abduction and murder of Lisa Ziegert | Agawam, Massachusetts, USA | 1992-04-15 | 2017-09-16 | Arrest followed confession via note; pled guilty and received life imprisonment without parole. |
| Ryan Derek Riggs | Sexual assault and homicide of Rhonda "Chantay" Blankinship | Lake Brownwood, Texas, USA | 2016-05-13 | 2017-11-15 | Confessed during a church gathering; accepted plea agreement; sentenced to life without parole. |
| Robert D. Washburn | Sexual assault and homicide of Jennifer Bastian | Tacoma, Washington, USA | 1986-08-04 | 2018-05-12 | Arrested following DNA identification; pled guilty and received a twenty-seven-year sentence. |
| Raymond Charles Rowe | Sexual assault and homicide of Christy Mirack | East Lampeter Township, Pennsylvania, USA | 1992-12-21 | 2018-06-26 | Admitted responsibility; sentenced to life imprisonment without parole. |
| John Dale Miller | Sexual assault and homicide of April M. Tinsley | Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA | 1988-04-04 | 2018-07-15 | Confessed and received an eighty-year prison sentence. |
| Spencer Glen Monnett | Sexual assault and physical attack on Carla Brooks | St. George, Utah, USA | 2018-04-17 | 2018-07-27 | Admitted guilt with apology; sentenced from five years to life imprisonment. |
| James Edward Papol | Sexual assault and homicide of Mary Lynn Vialpando | Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA | 1988-06-05 | 2018-09-20 | Entered guilty plea for second-degree murder; sentenced to sixty years in prison. |
| Frederick Lee Frampton, Jr. | Armed robbery resulting in death of Michael Anthony Temple Jr. | Odenton, Maryland, USA | 2010-02-02 | 2018-11-01 | Pled guilty to first-degree murder; sentenced to life with most time suspended except fifty-five years served. |
| Zachary Aaron Bunney | Homicide of Scott Martinez | La Mesa, California, USA | 2006-06-17 | 2019-01-10 | Entered guilty plea; received twelve-year imprisonment term. |
| Jesse Bjerke | Armed sexual assault of a lifeguard | Alexandria, Virginia, USA | 2016-09 | 2019-02 | Pled guilty to six counts; sentenced to sixty-five years incarceration. |
| Johnnie B. Green, Jr. | Multiple sexual assaults and robberies in Fayetteville | Fayetteville, North Carolina, USA | 2009 -2010 | 2019-05-07 | Admitted guilt on multiple charges; sentenced to over twenty-three years imprisonment. |
| Dennis Lee Bowman | Sexual assault and homicide of Kathleen Doyle | Norfolk, Virginia, USA | 1980-09-11 | 2019-11 | Navy Reserve officer at the time; DNA evidence led to arrest and confession; received two life sentences plus an additional thirty-five-to-fifty-year sentence for stepdaughter’s murder. |
| James Curtis Clanton (formerly Curtis Allen White) | Homicide of Helene Pruszynski | Douglas County, Colorado, USA | 1980-01-16 | 2019-12 | Identified through genetic genealogy; pleaded guilty early in 2020; sentenced to life imprisonment with eligibility for parole after twenty years. |
| Michael Wayne DeVaughn | 'Labor Day' homicide of Betty Jones | Starkville, Mississippi, USA | 1990-09-03 | 2018-10-06 | Pled guilty to capital murder charge; sentenced to life without parole. |
| Jeffrey King | Sexual assault in Newark | Newark, Delaware, USA | 1993-08-04 | 2019-10-03 | Identified via genetic genealogy project; pled guilty in October2022; sentenced to ten years. |
| Shane Boice | Sexual assault at residence in Belle Fourche | Belle Fourche, South Dakota, USA | 2012-04-12 | 2019-01-02 | Entered guilty plea in September2020 as part of plea agreement; received forty-five-year sentence. |
| Mason Alexander Hall | 'Sexual assault in Norristown Farm Park' | "Norristown, Pennsylvania" | "2017–08" | "2019–10–18" | "Pled guilty; sentenced thirteen-to-thirty-two years plus probation." |
| David Lee Williams | 'First-degree sexual assault' | "Gaithersburg, Maryland" | "2017–10–06" | "2019–08–04" | "Received forty-five-year sentence following guilty plea." |
| Joseph Clinton Mills | 'Homicide and sexual assault of Linda Patterson Slaten' | "Lakeland, Florida" | "1981–09–03" | "2019–12–12" | "Pled guilty February2022; four consecutive life sentences without parole." |
| Darold Wayne Bowden | 'Serial sexual assaults as "Ramsey Street Rapist"' | "Fayetteville, North Carolina" | "2006–08–23 onward" | "2018–08–18" | "Pled guilty; sentenced to twenty-five years without chance of parole." |
| William Blankenship | 'Sexual assaults including minors' | "Cincinnati, Ohio" | "1999 &2001" | "2020–02–11" | "Entered guilty plea; sentenced to nineteen years." |
| Angela Renee Siebke | 'Asphyxiation murder of newborn "Baby April"' | "Moline, Illinois" | "1992–04–11" | "2020–12–17" | "Pled guilty; received two-year sentence with credit for time served." |
| Adam Antonio Spencer Durborow | 'Aggravated homicide of Sherry Black' | "Salt Lake County, Utah" | "2010–11–30" | "2020–10–10" | "Pled guilty October2021; life sentence without parole February2022." |
| Martin Isaac Tellez | 'Robbery and homicide of Subir Chatterjee' | "Oak Ridge North, Texas" | "2002–02–15" | "2019–12–10" | "Pled guilty June2022; sixty-year sentence imposed." |
| Lloyd Wendell Ailes | 'Sexual assault at Miami University' | 'Oxford, Ohio' | '2006–09–01' | '2021–12–09' | 'Pled guilty on six felony counts; seventeen-year imprisonment.' |
| Jennifer Lynn Matter | 'Homicide of two newborns on separate occasions' | 'Red Wing & Frontenac, Minnesota' | '1999 &2003' | '2022–05–09' | 'Pled guilty January2023 on one count second-degree murder; sentenced to twenty-seven years.' |
| Lionel Jarvon Wells | 'Series of rapes in Detroit' | 'Detroit, Michigan' | '2007 –14' | '2022–09–14' | 'Pled guilty on multiple charges; sentenced between twenty-five and fifty years.' |
| Nina Albright | 'Death of newborn infant' | 'Calgary, Alberta' | '2017–12–24' | '2020–01–23' | 'Identified through DNA and video evidence; pled guilty with suspended sentence.' |
| John Getreu | 'Strangulation homicide at Stanford University graduate Leslie Perlov' | 'Santa Clara, California' | '1973–02–13' | '2018–11–20' | 'DNA identification led to arrest; pled guilty January2023; life imprisonment without parole. Deceased September2023.' |
| Arya Singh | 'Death of newborn infant found in Boynton Inlet' | 'Boynton Beach, Florida' | '2018–06–01' | '2022–12–15' | 'Confessed following DNA identification by investigators; pled guilty August2023; fourteen-year sentence.' |
| David Vincent Sinopoli | 'Homicide of Lindy Sue Biechler' | 'Manor Township, Pennsylvania' | '1975–12–05' | '2022–07–17' | 'DNA from discarded cup linked suspect; pled guilty October2023; sentenced twenty-five-to-fifty years.' |
| Jerry Lee | 'Lethal shooting of Lorrie Ann Smith' | 'Fulton County, Georgia' | '1997–05–25' | '2018–10' | 'DNA matched suspect arrested in Alabama; pled guilty November2023; eighteen-year term imposed.' |
| Douglas Larry Weber | 'Sexual assault on hitchhiker' | 'Larkin Charter Township, Michigan' | '1996—01—07' | '2022—11—03' | 'Identified through relatives’ DNA via genetic genealogy; pled guilty—five-to-fifteen-year sentence.' |
| Aryan Vito Smith | 'Fatal stabbing of Treeanna Nichols' | 'Westminster, California' | '2018—02—05' | '2020—05' | 'DNA evidence led to arrest despite no prior record; pleaded guilty March2024 awaiting sentencing.' |
| Antoinette Briley | 'Asphyxiation murders of newborn twins found in garbage truck bucket’
‘’‘Stickney Township’’’, Illinois ‘’‘2003—06—06’’’ ‘’‘2020—12—03’’’ ‘’‘Admitted role after DNA evidence from discarded items’; pleaded guilty receiving twenty-year sentence.’’’ | ||||
| Christopher Aldrich
‘’‘Sexual assault’’’ ‘’‘Acton’’’, Massachusetts ‘’‘2013—06—12’’’ ‘’‘2023—02—22’’’ ‘’‘Linked by DNA from unrelated case’; pleaded guilty October2024 receiving fifteen-year sentence.’’’ | |||||
| Kurt Alan Rillema
‘’‘Two sexual assaults near golf courses’’’ ‘’‘Oakland Charter Township (Michigan) & State College (Pennsylvania)’’’ ‘’‘1999 &2000’’’ ‘’‘2023—04—18’’’ ‘’‘Entered no contest plea for Michigan charge (ten-to-fifteen years); Pennsylvania charge still pending.’’’ | |||||
| Stephen Smerk
‘’‘Homicide of Robin Warr Lawrence’’’ ‘’‘West Springfield (Virginia)’’’ ‘’‘1994—11—20’’’ ‘’‘2023—09—12’’’ ‘’‘Active-duty military member at the time; confessed after New York arrest. Sentenced seventy years March2025.’’’ |
Case outcomes: Dismissals
The cases below ended with defendants being freed or found not guilty due to various reasons including dropped charges or expiration of statute limitations.
| Defendant | Crime(s) | Location | Date(s) | Arrest date | Case resolution | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Eugene Knapp | Sexual assault and homicide | Vancouver, Washington | 1994 | 2019 | Charges dismissed after another individual admitted involvement. | |||||||||||||||||||||
| James Randy Byrd | Armed abduction and sexual battery | Tampa, Florida | 1998 | 2020 | Jury acquitted despite presence of DNA evidence. |
- |
Leroy Jamal Smith | Multiple rapes (five incidents) | Muskogee County, Oklahoma | 1993 -1995 | 2020 | Charges dropped due to statute limitations and jurisdictional complications. |
- |
Unnamed female suspect | Homicide of Marie Johansson | Gothenburg, Sweden | 2005 | N/A | Unable to arrest suspect because statute limitations expired despite DNA connection. |
- |
Unnamed female suspect | Death of newborn "Matthew Isaac Doe" | Northfield, Vermont | 1982 | N/A | Homicide charges not pursued owing to circumstances and statute limitations. |
Case outcomes: Confirmation of deceased principal suspects
In these instances, the perpetrator was conclusively identified; however, they passed away prior to any legal proceedings. Although suspect identification was highly precise, prosecutions could not proceed, leaving the cases unresolved.
... (Table continues with similar condensed entries for other suspects) ...| Suspect | Victim(s) | Crime location(s) | Date(s) of offense | Date of suspect death | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blake Anthony Russell | Homicide of Sierra Bouzigard, aged 19 | Moss Bluff, Louisiana, USA | 2009-11-23 | 2018-06-21 | Identified through Parabon following investigator Monica Quaal's request. Charged but died by suicide before trial commenced. |
| James Otto Earhart | Murder of Virginia Freeman, aged 40 | College Station, Texas, USA | 1981-12-01 | 1999-08-11 | Confirmed after death; executed in 1999 for a different homicide. |
| Robert Eugene Brashers | Killing of Genevieve Zitricki, aged 28 | Greenville, South Carolina, USA | April 1990 | 1999-01-13 | Considered the initial offender in a sequence of assaults and murders spanning four states. |
| Edward Keith Renegar | Abduction, sexual assault, and murder of Pamela Faye Felkins, aged 32 | Greenbrier, Arkansas, USA | 1990-02-02 | 2002-09-05 | Identified with near-perfect certainty through DNA from his biological daughter. |
| Jonathan Matthew Ludwig | Armed robbery resulting in death of Michael Anthony Temple Jr., aged 24 | Odenton, Maryland, USA | 2010-02-02 | 2018-03-20 | The second suspect died in March 2018; victim succumbed to injuries sustained during the assault. |
| David Aaron Marbrito | Murder of Jodine Serrin, aged 39 | Carlsbad, California, USA | 2007-02-14 | 2011-01-30 | Identification facilitated by Parabon's Snapshot technology and genealogist Barbara Rae-Venter. |
Case outcomes: Resolving identities of John and Jane Does
Unidentified human remains are commonly assigned the names Jane Doe or John Doe. Establishing the identities of these individuals is vital in homicide inquiries, although not every case involves criminal activity.
| Identified Individual | Location of Remains | Date Found | Date Discovered | Date Identified | Case Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shaquana Marie Caldwell | Glen Burnie, Maryland, USA | 2017-05 (approximate) | 2017-06-14 | 2017-11-13 | Caldwell was reported missing after failing to attend work in Baltimore and was identified through dental records by Parabon. Her boyfriend, Taras Caldwell, a convicted murderer, was apprehended and charged. |
| Edwin Rodriguez | Wolf Creek Township, Pennsylvania, USA | 1980 (approximate) | 1980-11-06 | 2019 | Burnt remains located near Interstate 80 were confirmed as Rodriguez from Chicago via DNA profiling by Parabon. The alleged offender, Nestor Quintanal, passed away in 2002. |
| Hassan A. Alkebu-Lan | Chesterfield County, Virginia, USA | 2016 (approximate) | 2016-03-13 | March 2019 | Discovered close to the James River without indications of foul play; identification occurred three years later. |
| Donna Marie Prudhomme and Audrey Lee Cook | League City, Texas, USA | Prudhomme: July 1991; Cook: December 1985 | Prudhomme: September 9, 1991; Cook: February 2, 1986 | April 2019 | Bodies found in the Texas Killing Fields were identified through DNA comparisons with relatives; perpetrators remain unidentified. |
| "Julie Valentine" | Greenville, South Carolina, USA | February 13, 1990 | Same day as discovery | April 4, 2019 | An infant identified through Parabon’s efforts; the mother received a thirty-year sentence for murder. |
| Roger Hearne Kelso | Anne Arundel County, Maryland, USA | Circa 1963 (approximate) | Found in a trash receptacle during excavation in 1985 | June 2019 | Victim of homicide; case remains active with a $10,000 reward. Parabon utilized this case to demonstrate DNA phenotyping and facial reconstruction techniques. |
| Tina Len Cabanaw | Angola, Indiana, USA | Prior to 1999 | September 1999 discovery | July 2019 identification | Female victim of strangulation with ongoing murder investigation; identified using DNA from her daughter. |
| Sandra Renee Morden ("Fly Creek Jane Doe") | Vancouver, Washington, USA | Between spring of ’77 and fall of ’78 | Bones discovered February ’80 | October ’19 | Skeletal injuries suggest homicide; identification achieved through genetic genealogy by Parabon. |
| Perrean Tamar Flennaugh Gray | Sacramento, California, USA | January ’01 | January ’01 | November ’19 | Charred remains found in a dumpster; initial racial assumptions were corrected using DNA phenotyping; investigation continues. |
| William Arthur Fiegener | Parker County, Texas, USA | Fall of ’84 | October ’85 | December ’19 | Victim of homicide identified after many years; suspect is deceased. |
| Kelly Gene Perry | Livermore, California, USA | ’96 | May ’97 | March ’20 | Disappeared under suspicious circumstances; murder inquiry remains active. |
| Christy Lynn Floyd | Chester, Virginia, USA | \June ’86 | \August ’86 | \August ’20 | > Dismembered remains found in dumpster; identification prompted renewed homicide investigation. |
| Wanda Ann Herr | \Government Camp, Oregon, USA | \1976 | \August ’86 | \October ’20 | > Partial skull and bones identified following forensic genetic genealogy funded by grants. |
| Freeman Asher Jr. | \Multnomah Falls, Oregon, USA | \1977 | \September ’79 | \January ’21 | > No evidence of violent death; remains returned to family post-identification. |
| Marie Petry Heiser | \Townsend, Delaware, USA | \1977 | \June ’77 | \March ’21 | > Homicide suspected; main suspects include spouse and serial killer Henry Lee Lucas. |
| Vincent Marion Trapp ("Sand Canyon John Doe") | \Wellington, Nevada, USA | \1991 | \March ’92 | \May ’21 | > Presumed murder victim; law enforcement investigating potential suspects. |
| Steven Alexander Crawford | \Ashland, Oregon, USA | \1962–1963 | \July ’63 | \June ’21 | > Toddler discovered in reservoir; last seen with mother. |
| Leopoldo Torres Melendez | \Lower Lake, California, USA | \1970s | \November ’76 | \October ’21 | > Beaten to death with blunt object; identification made through sibling DNA match. |
| Winston Arthur Maxey III | \Coos Bay, Oregon, USA | \1971 | \July ’71 | \October ’21 | > Fifteen-year-old runaway identified via daughter’s DNA; cause of death undetermined. |
| Robin Pelkey ("Horseshoe Harriet") | \Palmer, Alaska, USA | \1983 | \April ’84 | \October ’21 | > Victim of serial killer Robert Hansen; identified using genetic genealogy techniques. |
| Carolyn Dunn Moudy | \Davie, Florida, USA | \July ’74 | \December ’75 | \December ’21 | > Murder victim identified through collaboration between Parabon and LSU FACES; investigation ongoing. |
| Haley Mae Coblentz | \Van Duzer State Park, Oregon, USA | \2020 | \December ’20 | \December ’21 | > Child’s remains discovered inside duffel bag; initial arrests made but charges later dismissed. |
| Katrina Kay Bentivegna | \Caddo County, Oklahoma, USA | \Circa ‘93 | \April ‘95 | \March ‘22 | > Partial remains suggested homicide; identification achieved via DNA extraction by Parabon. |
| "Hood River County John Doe" | \Hood River County, Oregon, USA | \Circa ‘08 | \December ‘09 | \May ‘22 | > Identity confirmed through genetic relatives but withheld at family's request. |
| Sylvia Nicole Smith | \Midland County, Texas, USA | \February ‘00 | \August ‘13 | \June ‘22 | > Homicide victim identified by Parabon with ongoing investigations. |
| Angela Mason | \Norman, Oklahoma, USA | \2008 | \August ‘08 | \August ‘22 | > Recognized as a Cherokee Nation member and homicide victim. |
| Robert Ronald Soden ("Fort Myers Eight") | \Fort Myers, Florida, USA | ||||
| > Probable victim of serial killer Daniel Conahan; identification made through DNA collaboration. | |||||
| John Barber | \Griswold Connecticut USA | ||||
| > Skeleton associated with New England vampire folklore panic; cause of death tuberculosis. | |||||
| Maria Telles-Gonzalez | |||||
| > Strangulation victim identified via son’s DNA sample; suspects being sought. | |||||
| Philip Kahn | |||||
| > Elderly missing person from Las Vegas located off Maine coast; cause of death unclear. | |||||
| Douglas Wayne Jackson | |||||
| > Missing Aurora resident linked to remains; cause unknown. | |||||
| Elsie Baker | |||||
| > Cancer patient who vanished under suspicious circumstances. | |||||
| Grace Lorna Narvaez-Webster | |||||
| > Reported missing with history of mental illness; investigation ongoing. | |||||
| Brian and Rachel Burr | |||||
| > Couple killed by hitchhikers; investigation continuing with multiple agencies involved. | |||||
| Marty Robin Rupar | |||||
| > Homicide victim located far from last known residence in Mississippi. | |||||
| Robert McReynolds | |||||
| > No evidence of foul play detected; remains returned to family members. | |||||
| Jesus Ruiz | |||||
| > Family unaware due to presumed relocation to Mexico; death under investigation. |