1992 Homicide Solved Using Forensic Genetic Genealogy

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., March 17, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Identifinders International, in conjunction with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation Cold Case Unit and the Surry County's Sheriff's Office, is pleased to announce the arrest of 71-year-old Warren Luther Alexander for the 1992 murder of Nona Stamey Cobb. On July 7, 1992, Ms. Cobb's body was found at the weigh station on the northbound side of Interstate 77, Surry County, North Carolina. Alexander was arrested in Diamondhead, Mississippi on Tuesday, March 15, 2022. He has been charged with murder and is being held at the Hancock County Jail awaiting extradition to North Carolina. Authorities are investigating the possibility of additional victims.

"This arrest was made because of the great teamwork between the SBI Cold Case Unit and Identifinders International. It is an example of why forensic genetic genealogy has come to play such an important role in solving cold cases," stated SBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nate Thompson.

"The SBI Cold Case Unit was forward-thinking in applying FGG to solving this case," said Dr. Colleen Fitzpatrick, President and Founder of Identifinders International. "We understand there were many agencies involved and appreciate the degree of collaboration that led to this arrest."

A press conference will be held when Alexander is extradited back to North Carolina. No additional information is available at this time.

About Identifinders International

Identifinders International is a fee-based forensic service that works with law enforcement agencies, coroners, and medical examiners to apply genetic genealogy, Y-DNA and autosomal SNP analysis to solve cold case homicides, sexual assaults, and unidentified remains. For more information, please visit www.identifinders.com.

Contact: 
Colleen Fitzpatrick, PhD
[email protected] 
714-296-3065

SOURCE Identifinders International