Murder Victim Identified as 2020 Rapist Through First-Ever Genetic Genealogy Application in Mississippi

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A brutal sexual assault that left Prentiss, Mississippi, shaken in 2020 has finally been solved thanks to a revolutionary technique: genetic genealogy. 

This marks a historic first for the state, demonstrating the power of this new approach in tackling unsolved crimes.

The Attack and Initial Investigation:

On January 15th, 2020, a woman was savagely attacked on First Street. 

The assailant, a complete stranger, dragged her into a deserted house, using pepper spray before committing the assault. 

The Prentiss Police Department responded swiftly, transporting the traumatized woman to Jefferson Davis Community Hospital for a thorough examination. 

Crucial DNA evidence was collected during the examination, offering a glimmer of hope for identifying the perpetrator.

The victim, understandably shaken, provided a detailed description of her attacker. 

Combining this information with security footage from the area, investigators identified a potential suspect residing near the crime scene. 

A lineup was conducted, leading to the arrest of this individual. 

However, a DNA comparison tragically exonerated him, leaving the investigation at a standstill.

A Cold Case Revived with Cutting-Edge Technology:

With no new leads, the case remained unsolved for over three years. 

Refusing to give up, Prentiss Detective Richard Browning, in collaboration with the Mississippi Forensics Laboratory, took a bold step in June 2023. 

They submitted the forensic evidence to Othram, a company pioneering the use of genetic genealogy in solving cold cases.

Othram specializes in leveraging DNA analysis and genealogy to bring closure to unsolved mysteries. 

Their expertise encompasses murders, disappearances, and unidentified victims. 

Additionally, they equip law enforcement with innovative tools to establish kinship relationships.

In this specific case, Othram scientists were able to extract valuable DNA from the evidence. 

This profile was then used in a genetic genealogy search, generating fresh investigative leads. 

Chief Richard Browning of the Prentiss Police Department spearheaded the follow-up investigation. 

This led them to potential relatives of the suspect, including three women with the last name "Washington."

An Unexpected Twist: Justice Served, But Not in Court

Chief Browning, familiar with the Washington family, discovered that Derrick Washington resided on First Street at the time of the attack in 2020. 

Tragically, in December 2020, just twelve months after the sexual assault, Derrick Washington was himself found murdered by gunshot outside of Prentiss. 

His own murder remains unsolved.

The Mississippi Forensics Laboratory compared a DNA sample taken during Washington's autopsy with the DNA profile obtained from the victim's examination. 

The results, confirmed in March 2024, were conclusive: Derrick Washington was the perpetrator of the 2020 assault on First Street.

"The victim yearned to know who committed this act," Chief Browning stated. 

"We maintained contact throughout the years, and I was thrilled to finally inform her the case was solved. While she may never see justice served in a courtroom, she finally has closure."

Funding for this groundbreaking investigation was provided by Mississippi philanthropist Carla Davis, a dedicated advocate for resolving the state's backlog of cold cases.

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