Case Solved-Barbara Rae-Venter Offers Peek into Criminal Cases – Eye On Sun Valley

BY KAREN BOSSICKJoseph James DeAngelo Jr. committed at least 13 murders, 50 rapes and 120 burglaries across the California between 1974 and 1986, leading to his moniker as the Golden State Killer.He taunted police officers and victims with obscene phone calls and even cryptic notes. But it wasn’t until 2018 that he was charged.Barbara Rae-Venter, a lawyer-turned-genetic genealogist, had identified members of DeAngelo’s family through forensic genetic genealogy and on April 24, 2018, authorities charged him with eight counts of first-degree murder based on DNA evidence.Rae-Venter will talk about her technique, called “investigative genetic genealogy,” at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 19, at The Community Library.Her talk is being held in partnership with Dent, a community of entrepreneurs, technologists, executives, investors and creatives that is holding a conference in Sun Valley this week.Rae-Venter’s technique has been used to solve more than 300 cases, many of which were previously considered unsolvable. And she herself has assisted in solving 60 additional cold cases.Her work earned her recognition as one of “10 People Who Mattered in Science in 2018” by the journal “Nature.” She also was recognized as one of Time 100’s Most Influential People of 2019.Those who wish to attend may RSVP at…
Read More