Skip to content
NOWCAST WLWT News 5 Today
Watch on Demand
Advertisement

New DNA technology leads to arrest of man in 31-year-old Ohio cold case

.
.
.
SOURCE: .
Advertisement
New DNA technology leads to arrest of man in 31-year-old Ohio cold case
A 31-year-old cold case has been solved following a joint investigation by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost's Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin's Office.The investigation led to the arrest of a Columbus man in the case of a 31-year-old unsolved homicide.It happened on June 3, 1991, when two people found the body of a woman lying in the grass naked on the northwest corner of Olive Street and Craig Street in Urbancrest, a village in southwest Franklin County.Since the body was found, investigators had been working to find the person responsible. Evidence from the case was taken to BCI's lab, where scientists developed a DNA profile for the possible suspect.The profile was then researched but never unveiled and the case got cold, Yost said. Then in 2020, the Franklin County Sheriff's Office enlisted the help of BCI's Cold Case Unit to apply new technology to the case. The unit uses recently developed forensic analysis and investigative resources to examine unsolved homicides and sexual assaults.The lab was able to advance the DNA profile. An investigation then led officials to be able to identify the suspect as 67-year-old Robert Edwards.Edwards was arrested on Friday and charged with aggravated murder. He also was charged with possession of drugs."Our cold case experts at BCI are the best in the business," Yost said in a statement. "They examine all the pieces of a puzzle, use all the technology available and leave no stone unturned – all with the goal of bringing justice and peace of mind to family members of victims. The partnership we have with Sheriff Baldwin and his law enforcement team is invaluable, and I couldn't be prouder of the work done on this case." Yost said the investigation team continues to explore Edwards' involvement in other cases.

A 31-year-old cold case has been solved following a joint investigation by Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost's Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Franklin County Sheriff Dallas Baldwin's Office.

The investigation led to the arrest of a Columbus man in the case of a 31-year-old unsolved homicide.

Advertisement

It happened on June 3, 1991, when two people found the body of a woman lying in the grass naked on the northwest corner of Olive Street and Craig Street in Urbancrest, a village in southwest Franklin County.

Since the body was found, investigators had been working to find the person responsible.

Evidence from the case was taken to BCI's lab, where scientists developed a DNA profile for the possible suspect.

The profile was then researched but never unveiled and the case got cold, Yost said.

Then in 2020, the Franklin County Sheriff's Office enlisted the help of BCI's Cold Case Unit to apply new technology to the case. The unit uses recently developed forensic analysis and investigative resources to examine unsolved homicides and sexual assaults.

The lab was able to advance the DNA profile. An investigation then led officials to be able to identify the suspect as 67-year-old Robert Edwards.

Edwards was arrested on Friday and charged with aggravated murder. He also was charged with possession of drugs.

"Our cold case experts at BCI are the best in the business," Yost said in a statement. "They examine all the pieces of a puzzle, use all the technology available and leave no stone unturned – all with the goal of bringing justice and peace of mind to family members of victims. The partnership we have with Sheriff Baldwin and his law enforcement team is invaluable, and I couldn't be prouder of the work done on this case."

Yost said the investigation team continues to explore Edwards' involvement in other cases.