A break and enter in Coquitlam last March provided a missing piece of evidence that could solve a 21-year-old cold case in New Westminster.
Coquitlam RCMP has confirmed that a DNA sample collected during a break-and-enter in 2016 matched the sample taken at the scene of a vicious attack and sexual assault in October 1996, resulting in this week's arrest and charges against a Vancouver man.
Const. Kristina Biro said police routinely collect DNA samples if they are available and send them to a DNA lab to see if they can be matched. But she didn't provide any more information about this case as it is currently before the courts.
Still, New West police are pleased that the missing piece of evidence has aided in the possible closure of a case that rocked the Royal City two decades ago.
“We never gave up on it, we didn’t stop looking and when that small piece of evidence came forward, the members stepped up,” New Westminster Chief Const. Dave Jones said this week in acknowledging the Coquitlam RCMP's help.
Dorothy Darnel, 80 years old at the time, was asleep in her bed in the early morning hours of Oct. 4, 1996 when a man broke into her apartment at 310 Eighth St. and attacked her. The injuries he inflicted to her head and face were so severe, she was knocked out. It was then the suspect sexually assaulted her, according to police.
“This is a step towards closure of a very tragic incident," Jones said. "It’s not necessarily a happy day, it’s more about closure."
Darnel never returned to that apartment, according to Jones, but she went on to speak at several public safety forums about her experience.
“She was a strong woman in that, after interviewing her and spending time with her, she actually came back and made presentations to seniors’ centres and seniors’ groups on safety and what they could do to keep themselves safe.”
Darnel passed away in December 2015 at the age of 99.
The initial investigation that took place in 1996 was led by eight full-time officers. Despite releasing a sketch of the suspect, who had been spotted fleeing Darnel’s apartment building by responding officers, he was never identified. There was also a $12,000 reward for information leading to an arrest posted by the New Westminster Police Board and an anonymous donor.
It took a matching DNA sample to help move the investigation along.
James Gray of Vancouver has been arrested and charged with break and enter and aggravated sexual assault, among other charges.
— with files from Diane Strandberg
