By Trend News Line 2024-05-08 19:22:12.
The Cold Case Closure of Maria Loraine Honzell
In a breakthrough development, the Colorado Springs police Department (CSPD) has officially closed the cold case of Maria Loraine Honzell, a 14-year-old girl who was tragically murdered back in 1977. The case had remained unsolved for 47 years, leaving the community and Honzell’s family searching for answers.
The Tragic Night of February 7, 1977
On that fateful night, Maria Loraine Honzell was found dead in the Suncrest Apartments, located off North Nevada Avenue. She had been brutally stabbed multiple times in the apartment where she had been babysitting. The discovery was made by the homeowner, who returned home late in the evening to find Honzell’s lifeless body and her own children asleep in their rooms.
A Long-Standing Mystery
For decades, the CSPD struggled to find a suspect in the case due to a lack of conclusive evidence. However, as technology advanced, the case was revisited, and evidence preserved from the crime scene was sent to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for further analysis. Despite efforts to match DNA found on Honzell’s clothing to potential suspects, no matches were initially found in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).
A Breakthrough in 2019
In 2019, the CSPD turned to Parabon NanoLabs for assistance in using DNA and geological databases to identify a suspect. Through their research, William (Bill) Charles Kernan Jr. emerged as a person of interest in the case. While no DNA was recovered from Kernan due to his cremation and lack of living biological relatives, investigators connected him to the crime scene as a local college student and acquaintance of the victim’s employer.
Closure and Justice for Maria Honzell
After a thorough review of the evidence, the Fourth Judicial District Attorney’s Office has concluded that William C Kernan Jr was responsible for the murder of Maria Loraine Honzell. The case is now officially closed, bringing a sense of closure and justice to Honzell’s family and the community.
Genetic Genealogy Technology
Detective Tracey Thompson from the CSPD Cold Case Department highlighted the role of genetic genealogy technology in solving the long-standing mystery. Thompson emphasized that all cold cases with the Colorado Springs Police Department remain open, urging the public to come forward with any information that may assist in ongoing investigations.
If you have any tips or information related to this case or any other unsolved mysteries, please reach out to the Colorado Springs Police Department. Your assistance could make a significant difference in bringing closure to families and achieving justice for victims.
Remember, the pursuit of truth and justice never ends, and with the support of the community, law enforcement can continue to solve cold cases and provide closure to those affected by past tragedies. Together, we can make a difference in bringing closure to unresolved cases and ensuring that justice is served..
“murder case involving 14-year-old dating back to 1977”
“murder of teenager dating back to 1977”.