Chicago, IL

Forensic genealogy leads to arrest of Indiana man in 1987 child sex assault case

Published

1 year ago

November 19, 2022

Forensic genealogy leads to arrest of Indiana man in 1987 child sex assault case

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — DNA proof left behind 35 years in the past and using forensic family tree has led to the arrest of an Indiana man on expenses that he sexually assaulted two Rhode Island ladies in 1987, authorities introduced Wednesday.

Frank Thies, 66, of Terre Haute, Indiana, was arraigned Thursday in Rhode Island on expenses of sexual assault and molestation.

SEE ALSO | ‘Child Holly’ lastly reunited with household 40 years after her dad and mom’ murders

The victims, aged 11 and 13, had been sexually assaulted in April 1987 after their attacker compelled them into the woods in rural Rhode Island, authorities mentioned. One of many ladies lived close by in Exeter. Police recovered bodily proof that they believed got here from the perpetrator, however couldn’t make an identification.

The case was reopened in 2005 following developments in genetic forensics, however nonetheless no match was discovered.

In 2019, detectives with the state police’s Particular Victims Unit labored with the Rhode Island Division of Well being to reexamine the genetic proof as soon as once more. They turned to genetic profiling, which entails looking out DNA databases to search out familial matches to the DNA of a suspect. From there, they decided the suspect was doubtless considered one of three brothers from western New York who had served within the army.

Investigators then teamed up with the Naval Legal Investigative Service and located that one of many brothers had visited the Naval Justice College in Newport the day earlier than the assault. Authorities in Indiana obtained a discarded pattern of the suspect’s DNA, which police say matched the proof recovered 35 years in the past.

Thies was arrested Oct. 19 in Indiana and was extradited to Rhode Island. He’s charged with one rely of first-degree sexual assault and two counts of first-degree youngster molestation. He’s being held with out bail.

RELATED | Mob-style homicide of Amoco govt Charles Merriam nonetheless unsolved 35 years later

It was unclear Thursday if Thies is represented by an legal professional who might touch upon the costs.

Forensic family tree obtained widespread consideration in 2018 after it was used to trace down a California serial killer who was accountable for a minimum of 13 killings and dozens of rapes within the Seventies and Eighties. Since then, the brand new technique has led to the identification of dozens of suspects in chilly instances, although some critics have voiced privateness issues concerning the follow.

Click to comment

Chicago, IL

2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say

Published

1 year ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say

ByABC7 Chicago Digital Crew by way of

Wednesday, November 23, 2022 3:26AM

FILE photograph: View of the Chicago Hearth Division, the third largest municipal hearth division in america of America, within the Chinatown neighborhood on Sept. 24, 2014.
Shutterstock

CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago hearth officers mentioned two ladies have been discovered lifeless in an Englewood house after a home hearth.

The fireplace broke out Tuesday night at a home within the 7200-block of South Wolcott, Chicago hearth officers mentioned.

The fireplace was struck out at about 9:10 p.m., CFD mentioned.

After the fireplace was out, firefighters discovered two grownup feminine victims lifeless within the wreckage.

It was not instantly clear if the ladies died within the hearth or earlier than the fireplace. No additional particulars have been launched.

The Chicago Hearth Division has not but commented on any potential causes for the fireplace or mentioned in the event that they consider it was suspicious.

Chicago, IL

3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban

Published

1 year ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban

HIGHLAND PARK, Ailing. (WLS) — Three ladies and their households had been good strangers up till the second tragedy introduced them collectively within the aftermath of Highland Park’s July 4th parade.

As Thanksgiving approaches, they’re united in goal and in gratitude for probably the most primary of all issues: life.

“I believed I used to be going to die,” Highland Park capturing survivor Liz Turnipseed mentioned. “That I used to be going to put there and I used to be going to bleed out and I used to be going to die.”

WATCH | Highland Park capturing survivor tells her story

“I used to be on the parade with my three grownup kids, my son-in-law and my 2-year-old grand child,” mentioned Debra Baum, with the Highland Park Gun Violence Mission. “Our complete household may have been worn out.”

“July third I had 70 folks at my home and the following day our life bought flipped the other way up,” capturing survivor Lindsay Hartman mentioned. “So I simply know for me, I am attempting to take pleasure in it and never spend an excessive amount of time previously.”

SEE ALSO | Highland Park parade capturing short-term memorial opens subsequent to metropolis corridor

For Lindsay, not spending an excessive amount of time previously means internet hosting Thanksgiving for 30. Liz, who was one of many almost 50 folks injured that day, nonetheless wants a cane to get round, so she’ll be catering the meal and having her complete household fly in. Debra shall be coming along with the identical household she was with on July 4.

“There are numerous households in Highland Park that do not have folks with them this Thanksgiving due to what occurred,” Baum mentioned. “It is a very weighty realization.”

However there’s additionally gratitude for random issues and other people, like for the proper strangers who took in Liz’s 3-year-old daughter for a few hours after she was shot. And the neighbor she’d by no means met earlier than who lent her a step stool for her mattress.

Turning ache into goal is what unites these ladies now as they foyer for an assault weapons ban in Congress. As a result of whereas life for them won’t ever be the identical, it does transfer on.

Chicago, IL

Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts

Published

1 year ago

November 22, 2022

Press Room

Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts

Tuesday, November 22, 2022 8:52PM

WASHINGTON D.C. — The Biden administration is but once more extending the pause on federal scholar mortgage funds, a profit that started in March 2020 to assist individuals who have been struggling financially because of the Covid-19 pandemic, a supply conversant in the plan mentioned.

The Division of Training will announce it’s extending the freeze one other six months with the primary funds due two months after June 30, the supply mentioned, until a Supreme Courtroom resolution on the president’s scholar mortgage aid program comes first.

The administration had beforehand mentioned the latest extension could be the final, and funds have been scheduled to restart in January.

However the administration had additionally meant for its scholar mortgage forgiveness program to start canceling as much as $20,000 in debt for low- and middle-income debtors earlier than January. This system has but to be carried out because it faces a number of authorized challenges.

This story is breaking and can be up to date.