DNA Discovery Could Finally Close Boston Strangler Case

At a Thursday morning news conference in Boston, police and prosecutors announced they have used advanced DNA technology to link the late Albert DeSalvo to the last of the Boston Strangler's 11 murders. DNA found on a water bottle discarded by one of DeSalvo's relatives was compared with evidence retained from the Sullivan investigation, and it was a close enough match for prosecutors to request that DeSalvo's body be dug up.

Albert DeSalvo, who confessed to being the Boston Strangler but later recanted his confession, was later imprisoned for unrelated charges, and then found stabbed to death in his cell in 1973. He never faced charges for the rape and murder of 11 Boston-area women between 1962 and 1964. Investigators attempted to use forensic evidence 10 years ago to link DeSalvo to the murder of one of the women, Mary Sullivan, but they were unsuccessful. However, modern advancements in forensic analysis have played a role in the new result, according to police.

A judge has approved the request to exhume DeSalvo’s body, which will happen later this week. The remains will be taken to the chief medical examiner’s office, and then it could take a few days before an exact DNA match is made.

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