Thomas Chennette News Today

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.

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.”

Officials say DNA evidence led them to killer of Rita Curran, in case that baffled investigators and was formerly linked to Ted Bundy

A discarded cigarette found near the body of a Vermont school teacher in her apartment nearly 52 years ago helped lead investigators to a neighbor who they say strangled her, Vermont police said.

Evidence collected from the cigarette butt and dogged investigative work led authorities to the man they say killed school teacher Rita Curran in 1971.

A discarded cigarette found near the body of a Vermont school teacher in her apartment nearly 52 years ago helped lead investigators to a neighbor who they say strangled her, Vermont police said.

Rita Curran, 24, was strangled by her newlywed neighbor while home alone. Her killer later moved to Thailand and became a monk, Vermont police said.