DNA Evidence Leads to Arrest of Virginia Man in Connection with 1980s Cold Case Murders
Virginia Man Arrested After DNA Links Him to Cold Case Murders
A Virginia Man’s Arrest for Cold Case Murders
A Virginia man has been arrested after DNA has linked him with the cold case murders of two women who were killed in the 1980s, reports say.
Arrest Made in Connection with Cold Case Murders in Northern Virginia
The Cold Cases in Stafford County from the 1980s
The Stafford County Sheriff’s Office announced Tuesday that a man named Elroy Harrison, 65, has been arrested after DNA linked him with the cold case murders in the county.
Stafford County Murders Linked to Elroy Harrison
DNA Links Elroy Harrison to Cold Case Murders
The victims of the two cold cases were from Stafford County and the murders occurred three years apart.
The 1986 Murder of Jacqueline Lard
Cops said the first murder occurred in 1986 when 32-year-old Jacqueline Lard of Stafford County was last seen on Nov. 15, 1986, at the real estate office where she worked. The next morning, Lard’s coworkers found a crime scene at the office that the Stafford Police Department says indicated a “horrific struggle.”
The 1989 Murder of Amy Baker
Police say the second murder occurred in March 1989, when 18-year-old Amy Baker disappeared while visiting family in Falls Church, Virginia, Fairfax County police said.
Using DNA Evidence to Identify the Killer
Forensic evidence from both murders was collected and used to identify Baker and Lard’s alleged killer.
Advancements in DNA Technology
In 2021, detectives with the Fairfax County Police Department’s cold case team submitted evidence from Baker’s death to DNA Labs International and a DNA profile was created and uploaded to Virginia’s state database, which allowed investigators to connect the two killings.
Using Genetic Genealogy to Solve the Case
Detectives then used forensic genetic genealogy to identify the family name of a possible suspect, Stafford County Sheriff’s Office said.
Arrest and Indictment of Elroy Harrison
On Dec. 14, 2023, a family name for the suspect was identified and detectives followed up on the leads this technology created and ultimately obtained a search warrant for DNA from Stafford County resident Elroy Harrison, Stafford County Sheriff’s Office said.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Harrison was indicted on Monday in connection with Lard’s death by a Stafford County Grand Jury for the first-degree murder, abduction with the intent to defile, and aggravated malicious wounding of Jacqueline Lard, as well as breaking and entering with the intent to commit murder.
Ongoing Investigation
Harrison has not yet been charged in relation to Baker’s murder, Fairfax County officials said, but an investigation is ongoing.
Conclusion
He was arrested at his Stafford County residence Tuesday and placed in the Rappahannock Regional Jail without bond. It is unknown if Harrison has entered a plea or obtained legal representation. Inside Edition Digital has reached out to the Stafford County Courts and Stafford County Commonwealth Attorney for more information and has not heard back.