Key Takeaways:
– The murder of Tracy Whitney in 1988 has been solved after 36 years using advanced DNA technology.
– The suspect, John Guillot Jr., has been identified posthumously as he passed away a few weeks prior to the DNA match.
– John Guillot Jr. didn’t have any connections with Tracy, indicating the murder was a stranger attack.
– Although Guillot is deceased, his DNA cannot be entered into CODIS, the law enforcement DNA database, due to legal restrictions.
– The murder case was solved thanks to a grant from the state attorney general’s office and the subsequent advancements in DNA testing.
Long-awaited Justice for Tracy Whitney
In an intriguing turn of events, Tracy Whitney, a young woman whose life was tragically cut short in 1988, has finally gotten justice. For 36 long years, Tracy’s case sat cold, with no viable leads for the law enforcement agencies. Thanks to advanced DNA technology, the case has been finally solved, although, unfortunately, an arrest cannot be made.
Capturing the Ghost of a Suspect
As per the Pierce County Sheriff’s office, Tracy was only 18 when she was found deceased next to the Puyallup River by fishermen. The autopsy revealed she had been sexually assaulted and undergone blunt force injuries. The cause of death was asphyxia resulting from strangulation and probable smothering.
The lead investigators on Tracy’s case, such as Detective Sgt. Lindsay Kirkegaard, tirelessly researched a myriad of potential suspects over the years. These included current and former boyfriends, along with people who saw her last. No solid leads were found despite extensive investigation efforts.
The game-changer in this long, winding case emerged due to advancements in genetic genealogy — an innovative method that uses DNA to trace lineage. A grant from the state attorney general’s office two years ago provided the department with the resources to pursue further DNA testing. The outcome was an electrifying breakthrough. The DNA matched a single individual, confirming the identity of the perpetrator after all these years.
Unveiling the Scary Truth
The bitter-sweet realization came with the identification of the suspect, John Guillot Jr. The sweet part was that Tracy’s case was finally solved, while the bitter part was realizing that Guillot had passed away a few weeks prior to the match being made. The suspect had no prior interactions with Tracy, indicating the attack was a random act of violence.
In a touching Facebook post, Tracy’s sister, Robin Whitney, told the world about the closure the family has finally been granted. Expressing her relief, Robin acknowledged the efforts of the police and the boon of DNA technology. However, Robin also noted a crucial point that may have far-reaching implications: although believed to have committed other crimes, Guillot’s DNA cannot be entered into CODIS, the law enforcement DNA database. This is due to legal stipulations that currently prevent the inclusion of deceased individuals’ DNA.
Such restrictions may prove a hinderance in solving other past or future cases that Guillot could be connected to. Robin and her family hope this policy will be reexamined in light of situations like Tracy’s. As they celebrate justice for Tracy, they’re also spurring a crucial dialogue about how we use and regulate advanced forensic technologies.
Despite the tragic end of John Guillot Jr. and the inability to bring him to justice in front of a court, Tracy Whitney’s case was solved, bringing a small sense of satisfaction. One thing’s for sure, the advancements in DNA technology promise a future where no case stays cold for long.