DNA Discovered On Cup Of Soda Helps Solve 30-Year-Old Murder Case Of Young Woman

Oct 01, 2019 by apost team

It is always heartbreaking when a loved one is lost to crime, and even more so when the person responsible for that crime has not been captured. A cold case in the state of Washington is making headlines after a new investigation helped police identify the perpetrator of a 30-year-old murder.

Mandy Stavik returned home from Central Washington University for Thanksgiving break. When she did not return home after going for a run in November 1989, her family was understandably concerned. Their worst fears were confirmed when Mandy’s unclothed body was recovered three days later.

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The murder of Mandy Stavik remained unsolved for decades, but in 2009 a detective named Kevin Bowhay began a new investigation into the details surrounding the case. Several men who lived in the area at the time that Mandy was murdered were asked to contribute a DNA sample reports The Daily Mail. Suspiciously, a man named Timothy Bass refused the request to voluntarily provide his DNA for analysis.

With no DNA match and no new leads to follow, the investigation stalled again until one of Timothy Bass’ co-workers found out he was a suspect in a murder case and gave police a Coke can and cup that he had used. DNA analysis proved that 51-year-old Timothy Bass was Mandy Stavik’s murderer

Mandy Stavik’s mom Mary found out on her birthday that her daughter’s killer had been arrested. The evidence led to Timothy Bass’ conviction on murder and rape charges. He is currently serving a prison sentence of almost 27 years.

Sometimes the truth can be found years after a crime was committed, even when it seems that all hope is lost. If you know someone who is facing seemingly impossible odds, send them this story of a family finally getting justice for their daughter thanks to the determination of investigators to find the truth.