Breakthrough in 34-Year-Old Cold Case Murder

In a groundbreaking revelation, the Wichita Police Department recently announced the resolution of a chilling cold case, dating back 34 years, involving the murder of 20-year-old Kansas woman, Krista Martin. This remarkable breakthrough was achieved through the application of state-of-the-art DNA technology, unveiled during a Monday news conference.

A Carefully Preserved Clue

The case harks back to the grim events of October 2, 1989, when Krista Martin fell victim to a sexual assault and a fatal beating. At that time, advanced DNA testing was not accessible. However, it’s worth noting that the crucial DNA evidence collected during the investigation was meticulously preserved, as explained by Kris Gupilan, the public information officer of the Wichita Police Department.

Decades of Fruitless Searches

Over the ensuing decades, multiple attempts were made to link DNA samples to potential suspects, but they all proved futile. In 2009, a suspect profile was established via the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), yet it yielded no matches.

The Arrival of the Investigative Team

A turning point came in 2021 when a dedicated investigative genetic genealogy team emerged, consisting of an FBI special agent and a Wichita police homicide detective. In April of the same year, with the assistance of private industry genealogists, DNA profiles were scrutinized and compared with samples from the suspect’s relatives, ultimately revealing the identity of the perpetrator.

Paul Hart Identified as Suspect

The individual implicated in the crime was identified as Paul Hart. If he were still alive, the Wichita Police Department confirmed he would have faced charges in connection with Krista Martin’s murder. Tragically, he passed away in a car accident in 1999.

Case Closed, But Healing Begins

As Paul Hart is no longer alive, this case is officially considered resolved. Krista Martin’s niece, Ember Moore, took a moment during the press conference to express gratitude to the investigators responsible for cracking the case.

A Heartfelt Thanks

“On behalf of my family and myself, I would like to say thank you to the Wichita Cold Case Unit and the Wichita Homicide Department for all their hard work and dedication to Krista’s case,” Moore expressed. “I am glad we can finally move forward and have peace knowing that Krista’s murderer is not walking around free or among us… She deserved so much more out of this life than what she ended up with.”

Unanswered Questions

The nature of the relationship, if any, between Paul Hart and Krista Martin remains undisclosed. All that is known is that they were neighbors at the time of her tragic death.

This recent success underscores the unwavering commitment of the Wichita Police Department to resolve cold cases, offering closure and justice to victims and their families.