DNA Breakthrough Exposes 1964 Murderer

After six decades of silence, advanced DNA technology has finally identified the killer of a 12-year-old New York girl whose brutal murder in 1964 haunted investigators and her family for generations.

Story Highlights

Mary Theresa Simpson, 12, was abducted, sexually assaulted, and strangled in Elmira, New York on March 15, 1964
Forensic genetic genealogy cracked the case in 2026, making it one of New York’s oldest cold cases solved through DNA technology
The suspect, now deceased, was identified through collaboration between Elmira Police, FBI, and private lab Othram
This marks Othram’s 18th New York cold case resolution, demonstrating the power of modern science to deliver justice delayed by decades

The Crime That Shocked a Community

Mary Theresa Simpson disappeared on March 15, 1964, while walking home from relatives near East Market and Harriet Streets in Elmira, New York. Her father reported her missing that evening. Four days later, on March 19, a hiker and his sons discovered her body in a wooded area near Combs Hill Road in Southport. The young girl had been sexually assaulted and strangled, with her mouth stuffed with twigs and dirt. Her remains were partially concealed under debris and stones, evidence of a calculated attempt to hide the horrific crime.

Decades of Dead Ends

The 1964 investigation saw hundreds of interviews conducted by Elmira Police Department, but the case went cold despite exhaustive efforts. Traditional forensic methods available in the mid-20th century proved inadequate to identify the perpetrator. For over 60 years, Mary’s family lived without answers, and her killer remained unknown. The case languished until 2023, when investigators reopened it with FBI assistance and submitted evidence to Othram, a Texas-based forensic laboratory specializing in genetic genealogy. This decision would prove pivotal in finally bringing resolution to one of New York’s oldest unsolved murders.

Modern Science Delivers Long-Awaited Justice

Othram developed a DNA profile from preserved evidence using Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing technology. The FBI’s forensic genetic genealogy team then conducted searches that generated investigative leads, ultimately identifying a suspect through follow-up investigation. The breakthrough represents a triumph of persistence and innovation, combining meticulous 1964 police work with cutting-edge science. Season of Justice, a nonprofit organization, funded the DNA testing. The suspect was confirmed deceased, meaning prosecution is impossible, but the identification provides closure the Simpson family has sought for over six decades. This case underscores the vital importance of preserving evidence and funding cold case units.

A Growing Wave of Cold Case Resolutions

This resolution marks Othram’s 18th New York case solved through forensic genetic genealogy, part of a broader national trend of decades-old crimes finally being resolved. Similar cases include the 1980 murder of Lynn Vest, cracked through hair DNA analysis with suspect Charles William Elliott also found deceased. Experts Joseph Scott Morgan and Dave Mack praised the combination of solid initial investigative work and “exceptional science” that made this breakthrough possible. The Chemung County District Attorney’s Office hosted a press conference on February 10, 2026, to publicly name the suspect, providing the community and Mary’s family with answers that eluded investigators for generations.

COLD CASE SOLVED! 1964 Murder of Mary Simpson, 12: Killer Named After 60 Years! https://t.co/LBLf3a8zGH via @crimeonlinenews #bodybags

— Crime Online (@crimeonlinenews) February 10, 2026

For families of victims in unsolved cases, this development offers hope that justice, though delayed, remains possible. The successful resolution validates continued investment in forensic technology and demonstrates that even the coldest cases can be solved when dedicated law enforcement partners with innovative private laboratories. Mary Theresa Simpson’s case serves as a powerful reminder that advances in science can restore dignity to victims and accountability to those who believed they escaped consequences.