3 days ago
Police use new DNA tech to re-examine death of 6-year-old, 45 years on
Police are using DNA to try to solve the 1980 murder of six-year-old Alicia O'Reilly, who was killed at her Avondale home.
Photo:
Photo by ANIRUDH on Unsplash
Warning: this story discusses details of the murder and assault of a child.
Police have announced they are examining new evidence, and hope to use a forensic tool to solve the murder of six-year-old Alicia O'Reilly, who was killed in Auckland 45 years ago.
A police statement on Saturday said O'Reilly was raped and was killed at her Canal Road home in the suburb of Avondale early on 16 August 1980. At this stage nobody has been convicted for her death.
O'Reilly's case was reopened in 2020 and the investigation dubbed Operation Sturbridge.
In a statement, Detective Inspector Scott Beard said on Saturday that a DNA sample had been obtained, which police hope could provide leads.
Police are also working with a new technology, trailing an Investigative Genetic Genealogy tool, he said.
"This is a slow process, and we are working carefully through this trial.
"Modern scientific technology continues to advance, and we are working very closely with PHF Science to try and establish a DNA link to a potential offender."
Alicia O'Reilly was murdered in 1980, when she was just six years old.
Photo:
Supplied/New Zealand Herald
More to come ...
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