Decades-Old Murder Solved: DNA Ties Suspect to California Teen’s Brutal Killing in 1979!
A 44-year-old cold case gets solved through groundbreaking DNA technology, revealing the haunting truth about a teenage girl’s tragic murder. 🌐 #News #RiversideCountyCA #California #Crime
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA – For over four decades, the brutal murder of 17-year-old Esther Gonzalez in California remained unsolved, until new DNA technology finally cracked the case. The revelation came after a fresh round of testing linked the long-deceased suspect to the crime, revealing a chilling truth about an investigation that had stalled for years.
The Crime That Shook Beaumont
On February 9, 1979, Esther Gonzalez, a high school student, was making her way from her home in Beaumont, California, to her sister’s house in nearby Banning. She never made it. The following day, her body was discovered off Highway 243, dumped in a snowpack.
Authorities quickly determined that the teen had been sexually assaulted and then bludgeoned to death. A witness who found the body—a man who described himself as being confused and argumentative—alerted authorities. After questioning, he was cleared through a polygraph test, and the case went cold.
Despite the clear signs of a brutal crime, investigators had no further leads, and the case was left to gather dust in the cold case files. It wasn’t until 2023 that new forensic methods began to breathe life into the investigation once again.
Forensic Genealogy Brings the Case to a Close
In a breakthrough that would have been unthinkable in 1979, investigators used genetic genealogy to finally solve the mystery. A semen sample taken from Gonzalez’s body during the initial investigation was revisited, now using the advanced technology of today’s genetic databases.
After testing, investigators realized that the man previously cleared by the polygraph, Lewis Randolph “Randy” Williamson, had never been definitively excluded as a suspect—DNA testing simply wasn’t available at the time.
Williamson, who had been the first to find Gonzalez’s body, died in 2014. However, a blood sample taken during his autopsy provided the crucial piece of evidence needed to confirm his involvement.
After testing the sample, investigators discovered a match with the DNA found on Gonzalez’s body. The Riverside County Cold Case Homicide Team, which had renewed efforts on the case in 2023, finally got their answer after over 40 years of uncertainty.
The Impact of Forensic Genealogy on Cold Cases
Though the case’s resolution brings a sense of closure to the family of Esther Gonzalez, it is not without its emotional toll. Investigator Jason Corey noted the immense burden this tragedy has placed on the victim’s family, who never stopped mourning the loss. While the case’s resolution may not bring joy, Corey expressed hope that it might offer some relief for those who have endured years of uncertainty.
The success of this investigation underscores the importance of forensic genealogy in modern law enforcement. Corey emphasized how this tool not only helps solve cold cases but also has the potential to lead to new discoveries about unsolved crimes and missing persons. It’s a powerful method that offers hope to many families still searching for answers.
For anyone with information about the case or who may have known Williamson, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is urging them to come forward and assist in ongoing investigations. They can be reached at 951-955-277 or coldcaseunit@rivcoda.gov.
The resolution of Esther Gonzalez’s case brings a long-awaited sense of closure to her family, though the pain of her loss will forever remain. As they remember her life and the years of heartache they endured, it’s a reminder of the enduring strength of the human spirit.
May they find comfort in the words of Isaiah 41:10: “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
RELATED TOPICS: Crime | California
Sign Up for Our Newsletter
We value your feedback! Did you find this article informative, inspiring, or thought-provoking? Leave a comment below and join the discussion. We appreciate your opinion and look forward to hearing from you!
