Police in Northern California have arrested James Unick, 62, in connection with the 42-year-old cold case rape and murder of 13-year-old Sara Ann Geer in 1982. Unick, from Willows, has been charged with murder, rape, lewd acts with a minor by force, kidnapping for molestation, and a special circumstance allegation of murder during a kidnapping. DNA evidence collected at the crime scene was recently matched using modern technology, leading to Unick’s arrest. Detectives used DNA genetic genealogy technology to identify a male DNA profile from the evidence, allowing them to track down a suspect through close matches in DNA databases.
The case of Sara Ann Geer had been reopened in 2019, with a private investigation firm hired to assist in the investigation. Social media rumors about the case were said to have made the probe more difficult. The arrest of Unick has been hailed as a step towards closure for the Geer family and a commitment to ensuring safety and justice in Cloverdale. DNA genealogy technology has been instrumental in solving cold cases like this, as seen in previous high-profile cases like the arrest of the “Golden State Killer” and the “Grim Sleeper.”
Unick is currently being held without bail and it is unclear if he has legal representation. The Cloverdale Police Department has expressed relief at the arrest, noting that years of hard work and perseverance by law enforcement officials have finally led to this moment of closure in the case of Sara Ann Geer.
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