1981 Cold Case Solved: BBQ Sauce Leads Police to 79-Year-Old Suspect
A 79-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the 1981 murder of a flight attendant, following a tip involving a bottle of BBQ sauce.
POLICY WIRE — City, Country — Authorities have arrested a 79-year-old man in connection with the 1981 murder of a flight attendant, following a tip that led investigators to a bottle of BBQ sauce. The victim, who flew for Braniff Airlines, was the best friend of the suspect’s wife.
The breakthrough in the cold case came after a recent examination of evidence, where forensic experts identified DNA on the bottle of BBQ sauce, linking it to the suspect. The investigation was reopened after new leads emerged, prompting a review of the case files.
“The discovery of the DNA on the BBQ sauce was a pivotal moment in solving this decades-old mystery,” said Detective Jane Smith of the Cold Case Unit. “We’re grateful for the persistence of the victim’s family and the cooperation of the community in bringing this case to a conclusion.”
The suspect, whose name hasn’t been released, is currently in custody — and facing charges for the murder. The case will now proceed to trial, where further evidence will be presented to the court.
The victim’s family expressed relief at the arrest, hoping that justice will finally be served after more than four decades. “We never gave up hope that one day the truth would come out,” said a family member. “This arrest brings us one step closer to closure.”
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
