Arrest Made in Brutal 1986 Virginia Cold Case of Jacqueline Lard , DNA Links Suspect to Another Killing

Police finally caught a break in a murder case that went unsolved for almost 40 years! This week, they arrested a man suspected of killing Jacqueline Lard in Virginia back in 1986. DNA evidence also linked him to another murder from the 1980s.

The victim, Jacqueline Lard, was 40 years old when she went missing in November 1986. Sadly, her body was found a few days later hidden under old carpets in a wooded area. Thanks to modern science, investigators were able to use DNA evidence from the crime scene to connect the suspect to the murder.

The suspect is Elroy Harrison, a 65-year-old man. He's been charged with kidnapping, hurting Ms. Lard badly, breaking into a building to commit a crime, and of course, murder. He's currently in jail and hasn't been able to get a lawyer yet.

Police believe Mr. Harrison might also be responsible for the murder of another woman named Amy Baker in 1989. She was only 18 years old when she died. Investigators are working on this case too, but Mr. Harrison hasn't been charged yet.

This arrest brings some hope for the families of both Jacqueline Lard and Amy Baker. The police department is thanking everyone who helped with the investigation, especially a detective named D.K. Wood. He used a special technique called "forensic investigative genetic genealogy" to crack the case. This fancy term basically means they used DNA to trace the suspect's family tree and eventually identify him.

Back in 1986, after finding Ms. Lard's body, the police collected evidence and looked for suspects, but they couldn't find anyone. The case went cold for many years. Now, thanks to new technology and some great detective work, there's finally hope for justice.

 

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