Cold Case Solved: DNA Technology Identifies Suspect in 1964 New York Murder of Mary Theresa Simpson
Elmira, NY – More than six decades after 12-year-old Mary Theresa Simpson vanished on her walk home from visiting relatives in Elmira, New York, authorities have identified her killer thanks to groundbreaking advances in forensic genetic genealogy. The case, a haunting reminder of unsolved crimes from a bygone era, was cracked through the work of Othram, a Texas-based forensic biotechnology company, and the FBI’s genetic genealogy team.
The resolution of Simpson’s murder marks a significant milestone, representing one of the oldest homicide cases in the United States to be solved using this emerging technology. It also underscores a growing trend: cold cases from the 1960s and 70s are increasingly becoming solvable due to the confluence of preserved evidence, readily available DNA databases, and sophisticated genomic sequencing.
Mary Simpson was last seen on March 15, 1964. Her father reported her missing that evening, and four days later, a hiker discovered her body in a wooded area near Combs Hill Road in Southport. Investigators determined she had been sexually assaulted and strangled, her remains concealed under debris and her mouth stuffed with twigs and dirt. Despite an exhaustive investigation involving hundreds of interviews, the case remained cold for decades.
The breakthrough came in February 2023 when the Elmira Police Department, with assistance from the FBI, reopened the investigation and submitted biological evidence to Othram. The lab specializes in extracting usable DNA from degraded samples – a common challenge in decades-old cases. Othram successfully developed a comprehensive genetic profile, funded in part by the nonprofit Season of Justice.
“For every mystery, there is someone, somewhere who knows the truth,” famously stated Robert Stack, host of the television show Unsolved Mysteries. In this case, however, the truth remained elusive for generations until the application of modern science.
The FBI’s forensic genetic genealogy team then analyzed the DNA profile, conducting a genealogical search to identify potential leads. Working alongside Elmira police detectives, they narrowed the search to a single individual, whose identity will be publicly revealed during a press conference scheduled for February 10, 2026, at the Chemung County District Attorney’s Office. Authorities confirmed the suspect’s identity through further investigation, but noted he is now deceased and will not face prosecution.
This case is not an isolated incident. Othram has been instrumental in resolving 18 cold cases in New York State alone. The company’s success highlights the growing power of forensic genetic genealogy, a technique that leverages publicly available DNA databases – primarily those used by ancestry websites – to identify distant relatives of unknown suspects.
Experts believe the 1960s-1970s represent a “sweet spot” for solving cold cases. Law enforcement agencies often preserved forensic evidence from that era, even if initial testing was limited. Furthermore, a significant number of potential perpetrators from that time are still alive, while millions of their family members have voluntarily submitted DNA to ancestry databases.
“These days, police investigators can more easily track down suspects by investigating a person’s background,” explains Clarence Walker, a veteran true crime journalist with NewsBlaze. “Determining if they are married, employed, divorced, on disability, or even deceased is far simpler with modern technology.”
The Elmira Police Department encourages anyone with additional information about the case to come forward, contacting them at 607-737-5626 or utilizing the anonymous tip line at 607-271-HALT.
