Suspect Identified in 1997 Double Murder Case DNA Evidence Provides the Investigative Link NA09292rf

WHAT:                       
News conference to announce the identification of a suspect in a tragic double murder case from 1997 in which crucial DNA evidence was recently analyzed, providing investigators with significant leads.   

WHEN:        
Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009
1 p.m.

WHERE:              
Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) North Hollywood Division
11640 Burbank Blvd.
North Hollywood 91601    

WHO:              
LAPD North Hollywood Division Command Staff and Detectives
LAPD DNA Case Investigator

BACKGROUND

INFO:  
On Sept. 21, 1997, the shocking murders of 57-year-old Nancy Boehm and her mentally impaired 23-year-old son Shawn were discovered inside their North Hollywood home. They had been stabbed multiple times, and efforts to identify a suspect were unsuccessful.

In 2005 the case was reexamined. Though DNA material was collected, the samples were not suitable to be uploaded into the Department of Justice CODIS databank, a computer software program that contains local, state and national databases of DNA profiles from convicted offenders, unsolved crime scene evidence, and missing persons.

In May of this year, detectives requested to once again take a look at the previously collected DNA samples.  This time, the results of the analysis were a success, a partial suspect profile was uploaded into CODIS and the suspect, who is currently serving time in a California state prison, was identified.

CONTACT:    
For more information, contact LAPD Media Relations Section at 213-485-3586