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Judy Weaver, a bar manager, vanished without a trace in 1984.
Despite years of investigation, the case went cold, leaving her family heartbroken and yearning for answers.
Then, in 2023, a new lead emerged, reigniting hope for justice.
In an unusual turn of events, detectives in 2023 approached Mitchell Gaff, a convicted sex offender, posing as a gum company representative.
Unaware of their true intentions, Gaff participated in a taste test, unknowingly providing crucial DNA evidence through a chewed piece of gum.
This seemingly insignificant act proved to be the missing piece in the puzzle.
The DNA collected from the gum matched genetic material found at the crime scene, a match that had eluded investigators for decades.
A Look Back: Weaver's Disappearance and the Investigation
Weaver was last seen alive in June 1984 after a night shift at the bar she managed.
She stopped for ice cream and was never seen again.
Authorities discovered her apartment on fire, and tragically, Weaver was found strangled inside.
The investigation hit several dead ends, with no clear suspects emerging.
For ten long years, the case remained unsolved.
Detectives explored various theories, including drug trafficking and disgruntled patrons, but none panned out.
In 2020, advancements in DNA technology offered a glimmer of hope.
However, initial testing did not yield a match in the national database.
Undeterred, investigators re-examined evidence using the latest technology.
This time, DNA found on ligatures used to bind Weaver yielded a match in the DNA database – Mitchell Gaff.
The Suspect: A History of Violence
At the time of Weaver's murder, Gaff was a young man with no apparent connection to the victim.
However, his past painted a disturbing picture.
Just two months after Weaver's death, Gaff committed a brutal rape, leading to his arrest and conviction.
Following his release from prison, Gaff's predatory behavior continued.
He admitted to assaulting numerous women and was deemed a sexually violent predator by the courts.
For two decades, he was confined to a special treatment facility.
In 2006, Gaff was placed in a halfway house but returned to confinement after disturbing videos were found in his possession.
A decade later, he was released under a strict monitoring program, still classified as a high-risk sex offender.
Closure for Weaver's Family: A Daughter's Hope for Justice
While the arrest cannot bring Weaver back, it offers a long-awaited sense of closure for her family.
Her daughter, Cathy Myers, expressed her hope for justice in a 2009 interview.
As of this week, Mitchell Gaff awaits trial in Snohomish County Jail.
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