DNA Match Links 73-Year-Old to 1977 California Cold Case Murders

In a significant breakthrough for cold case investigators, a 73-year-old man has been implicated in three decades-old murders in Southern California. Warren Luther Alexander, hailing from Diamondhead, Mississippi, is now facing charges for the 1977 strangulation deaths of three women in Ventura County.

The case, which had remained unsolved for over 47 years, was cracked open thanks to advancements in DNA technology. DNA profiling, first developed in 1984 by Alec Jeffreys at the University of Leicester, has become a crucial tool in solving cold cases. The National DNA Index System (NDIS), established in 1998 as part of CODIS, played a pivotal role in this investigation.

Alexander made his initial court appearance on August 8, 2024, with his arraignment on three counts of first-degree murder scheduled for August 21, 2024. He remains in custody without bail. The Ventura County Public Defender's Office has been assigned to his case.

The victims, all identified as sex workers in Ventura County, were killed by ligature strangulation. Kimberly Fritz, 18, was discovered on May 29, 1977, in Port Hueneme. Velvet Sanchez, 31, was found on September 8, 1977, in Oxnard. Lorraine Rodriguez, 21, was located on December 27, 1977, in an unincorporated area.

Investigators believe these crimes may be part of a larger pattern. Alexander's history as a long-haul truck driver from the 1970s to the early 1990s has raised concerns about potential additional victims across multiple states. The FBI's Highway Serial Killings Initiative, launched in 2004, specifically tracks potential serial killers operating along highways.

The breakthrough in this case came when DNA evidence was uploaded to a national database in 2023. Investigative genetic genealogy, which gained prominence after the 2018 arrest of the Golden State Killer, played a crucial role in identifying Alexander as a suspect. This technique has solved over 500 cold cases since 2018.

Alexander is also awaiting prosecution for a 1992 cold case killing in Surry County, North Carolina. He was arrested for that case in March 2022, demonstrating the power of cross-jurisdictional cooperation in solving complex cases.

The Ventura County District Attorney, Erik Nasarenko, emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities are urging anyone with information about Alexander or potential additional victims to come forward.

This case highlights the importance of persistent cold case investigations and the value of technological advancements in forensic science. As DNA technology continues to improve, allowing for successful analysis of smaller and more degraded samples, it offers hope for solving more long-standing mysteries and bringing closure to victims' families.

"We believe there may be additional victims both locally and other states. This is an ongoing investigation, and we will continue to pursue all leads that become available. This is not in any way closed."

The resolution of this case after nearly five decades serves as a testament to the dedication of cold case detectives and the evolving capabilities of forensic science in the pursuit of justice.