Arlington: Authorities arrested an 82-year-old North Carolina man after DNA evidence tied him to a 1979 murder case.
Kathryn Donohue, 31, was found murdered in her Arlington, Virginia, home on March 3, 1979.
Investigators treated her case as a homicide and sexual assault but could not identify a suspect.
Despite thorough investigations, the case remained unsolved for more than four decades.
Prince George’s County Police recently reopened the case, using advanced forensic analysis to reexamine old evidence.
Breakthrough Discovery
In 2024, detectives secured a grant to conduct advanced forensic testing on preserved crime scene evidence.
The department partnered with Othram, a forensic laboratory specializing in genetic genealogy and DNA sequencing.
Othram’s scientists extracted DNA from the old evidence and built a comprehensive genetic profile.
By analyzing the genetic data, investigators identified a potential family link to a suspect.
This DNA lead ultimately pointed to Rodger Zodas Brown, an 82-year-old man living in North Carolina.
Suspect Arrested
Brown was arrested at his home in North Carolina last week, police confirmed.
Prince George’s County Chief of Police Malik Aziz announced the breakthrough in a press conference.
Brown faces charges of first-degree murder, rape, and other related offenses.
He is currently being held in North Carolina while awaiting extradition to Maryland.
Authorities are still working to determine Brown’s exact connection to Donohue.
No Known Connection
Investigators found no evidence that Brown and Donohue knew each other.
At the time of the crime, Brown lived in Hyattsville, Maryland, about seven miles from Donohue’s home.
Despite the lack of a known relationship, DNA evidence strongly links him to the crime scene.
The case remains under investigation as authorities seek additional details.
Police encourage anyone with relevant information to come forward.
Family’s Gratitude
Donohue’s family expressed deep appreciation for the investigators’ persistence.
In a statement, they thanked police for their dedication and determination in solving the case.
They described the resolution as a long-awaited sense of closure.
“This case serves as a reminder that we will never stop seeking the truth,” Aziz said.
Authorities reaffirm their commitment to solving cold cases and delivering justice.
