James Trieb News Today

Rita Curran, a 24-year-old Irish American woman from Vermont, was found murdered in her apartment in July 1971. Now more than fifty years after her death, her murder cold case has been solved.

Police in Vermont believe they’ve solved the decades-old murder of a teacher thanks to DNA found on a cigarette left at the crime scene.

Detectives say DNA evidence from a discarded cigarette found near the body of a 24-year-old US school teacher in 1971 points to an upstairs neighbour being responsible for her murder.

Officials say a discarded cigarette found near the body of a 24-year-old Vermont school teacher nearly 52 years ago helped lead investigators to an upstairs neighbor who they say strangled her in her apartment.

DNA pulled from the butt of a cigarette has helped authorities solve the murder of Rita Curran, a Vermont teacher found dead in her apartment back in 1971.

Officials say a discarded cigarette found near the body of a 24-year-old Vermont school teacher nearly 52 years ago helped lead investigators to an upstairs neighbor who they say strangled her in her apartment.

Officials say a discarded cigarette found near the body of a 24-year-old Vermont school teacher nearly 52 years ago helped lead investigators to an upstairs neighbor who they say strangled

The suspect, identified as William DeRoos, who was 31 at the time, had left his apartment that night for “a cool down walk.”

Police in Vermont believe they’ve solved the decades-old murder of a teacher thanks to DNA found on a cigarette left at the crime scene.

Even though no charges will be filed, extensive genetic research led the local state's attorney to confirm that the suspect committed the crime over 50 years ago.