Latest news with #Jeanette
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Syracuse native Jeanette Epps retires from NASA
HOUSTON, Texas (WSYR-TV) — Jeanette Epps, the Syracuse native who spent 235 days in space in 2024, has retired from NASA, the agency announced Thursday. Epps has spent more time in space than any other African American in history. Epps is an alum of Corcoran High School and Le Moyne College. NewsChannel 9 followed Epps' journey last year as part of Crew-8, which lived on the International Space Station from March to October. Epps has visited both of her alma maters since returning to Earth. In February, she visited a science classroom at Le Moyne College. In April, she hosted a panel at Le Moyne and spoke to a large group of students on the auditorium stage of Corcoran High School. April 8, 2025, was named Jeanette Epps Day in the City of Syracuse and Onondaga County. At the time, Epps didn't rule out a return trip to space. 'I have had the distinct pleasure of following Jeanette's journey here at NASA from the very beginning,' said Steve Koerner, acting director of NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston. 'Jeanette's tenacity and dedication to mission excellence is admirable. Her contributions to the advancement of human space exploration will continue to benefit humanity and inspire the next generation of explorers for several years to come.' Before NASA, Epps was a Technical Intelligence Officer at the CIA and worked as a technical specialist for the Ford Motor Company. In 2009, Epps was selected for NASA's 20th astronaut class. 'Ever since Jeanette joined the astronaut corps, she has met every challenge with resilience and determination,' said NASA's chief astronaut, Joe Acaba. 'We will miss her greatly, but I know she's going to continue to do great things.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Scottish Sun
21-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
My mum was brutally murdered at 24 when I was at home in bed just age six – a ciggy packet led to arrest 50 years later
The cold-blooded killer tried to set Jeanette Ralston's car on fire but it failed to burn, leaving behind the key clue on a cigarette packet POLICE PROBE My mum was brutally murdered at 24 when I was at home in bed just age six – a ciggy packet led to arrest 50 years later Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BEAUTIFUL Jeanette Ralston, 24, was letting her hair down with pals at a local bar while her six-year-old son, Allen, was safely tucked up in bed. But tragically, the mum-of-one never made it home to her baby. She was found strangled, sexually assaulted and wedged into the back seat of her own car. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Jeanette Ralston was found strangled, sexually assaulted and wedged into the back seat of her own car Credit: Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office 4 She left behind her son Allen, who was six-years-old at the time of her death Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk 4 Willie Eugene Sims, 69, was arrested two weeks ago and charged with the brutal murder of Jeanette Credit: Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office Jeanette was last seen alive leaving the Lion's Den bar in San Jose, California with an unidentified man just before midnight on January 31 1977. She told pals that she'd be back in 10 minutes. The following day, her body was discovered dead in the back of her Volkswagen Beetle in a carport near the bar. A medical examiner determined that she had been strangled with the long-sleeve shirt that was found wound around her neck. The cold-blooded killer then tried to set Jeanette's car on fire, but it failed to burn. He got away with the slaying for nearly five decades. Willie Eugene Sims, 69, was arrested two weeks ago and charged with the brutal murder of Jeanette in January 1977, according to Santa Clara County prosecutors. The Ohio man was finally linked to the crime through a cigarette pack in Jeanette's VW Beetle. The breakthrough came last August when police made the decision to retest fingerprints on the cigarette packet, despite testing from years prior not linking anyone to the cold case. But Santa Clara Deputy District Attorney Rob Baker said that his office decided to 'throw a Hail Mary' after the FBI updated its fingerprint database's search algorithm. 'Just about a year ago, I was like, 'hey, let's run those prints again to see if we get lucky',' he told KGO. To Baker's astonishment, the fresh search revealed a match for Sims. Further analysis found Sims' DNA under Jeanette's fingernails and on the shirt used to strangle her, according to cops. Jeanette's son Allen, who was just six-years-old when his mother was violently taken from him, has expressed gratitude for Sims' arrest. 4 The breakthrough came last August when police made the decision to retest fingerprints on the cigarette packet found in Jeanette's car Credit: AP "His birthday is coming up - he said this was such a great birthday present,' Baker said. 'We can't bring her back, but at least now we can answer some of the questions that have haunted the family and offer them the closure they've waited almost 50 years for.' Allen shared his heartfelt thanks in a social media post, acknowledging the detectives' tireless work. He wrote: 'You have undoubtedly made a six-year-old kid happy after all these years. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for a job well done.' Sims has now been arraigned on the murder charge and is due to be extradited to California, where he could face a sentence of 25 years to life behind bars.
The Irish Sun
21-05-2025
- The Irish Sun
My mum was brutally murdered at 24 when I was at home in bed just age six – a ciggy packet led to arrest 50 years later
BEAUTIFUL Jeanette Ralston, 24, was letting her hair down with pals at a local bar while her six-year-old son, Allen, was safely tucked up in bed. But tragically, the mum-of-one never made it home to her baby. She was found strangled, Advertisement 4 Jeanette Ralston was found strangled, sexually assaulted and wedged into the back seat of her own car Credit: Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office 4 She left behind her son Allen, who was six-years-old at the time of her death Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk 4 Willie Eugene Sims, 69, was arrested two weeks ago and charged with the brutal murder of Jeanette Credit: Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office Jeanette was last seen alive leaving the Lion's Den bar in San Jose, California with an unidentified man just before midnight on January 31 1977. She told pals that she'd be back in 10 minutes. The following day, her body was discovered dead in the back of her A medical examiner determined that she had been strangled with the long-sleeve shirt that was found wound around her neck. Advertisement read more true crime The cold-blooded killer then tried to set Jeanette's car on fire, but it failed to burn. He got away with the slaying for nearly five decades. Willie Eugene Sims, 69, was arrested two weeks ago and charged with the brutal murder of Jeanette in January 1977, according to Santa Clara County prosecutors. The Ohio man was finally linked to the crime through a cigarette pack in Jeanette's VW Beetle. Advertisement Most read in Fabulous The breakthrough came last August when police made the decision to retest fingerprints on the cigarette packet, despite testing from years prior not linking anyone to the cold case. But Santa Clara Deputy District Attorney Rob Baker said that his office decided to 'throw a Hail Mary' after the FBI updated its fingerprint database's search algorithm. 'Just about a year ago, I was like, 'hey, let's run those prints again to see if we get lucky',' he told KGO. To Baker's astonishment, the fresh search revealed a match for Sims. Advertisement Further analysis found Sims' DNA under Jeanette's fingernails and on the shirt used to strangle her, according to cops. Jeanette's son Allen, who was just six-years-old when his mother was violently taken from him, has expressed gratitude for Sims' arrest. 4 The breakthrough came last August when police made the decision to retest fingerprints on the cigarette packet found in Jeanette's car Credit: AP "His birthday is coming up - he said this was such a great birthday present,' Baker said. Advertisement 'We can't bring her back, but at least now we can answer some of the questions that have haunted the family and offer them the closure they've waited almost 50 years for.' Allen shared his heartfelt thanks in a social media post, acknowledging the detectives' tireless work. He wrote: 'You have undoubtedly made a six-year-old kid happy after all these years. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for a job well done.' Sims has now been arraigned on the murder charge and is due to be extradited to California, where he could face a sentence of 25 years to life behind bars. Advertisement
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cumbrian school headteacher attends garden party at Buckingham Palace
The headteacher of a Cumbrian school has attended a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. Steven Henneberry, headteacher of Dallam School, was invited to the event on Wednesday, May 14 to celebrate those working in education and skills. He was accompanied by his wife, Jeanette. Steven Henneberry, headteacher of Dallam School at Buckingham Palace to celebrate those working in education and skills (Image: Dallam School) The event was hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla and attended by 7,000 guests. Mr Henneberry was nominated by the Lord-Lieutenant of Cumbria for his contributions to education. He said the day was a mix of celebration, connection, and reflection. He spoke with the Yeoman Guards and fellow guests about the work happening across the UK to support young people. Mr Henneberry said: "It was a great honour to be invited to Buckingham Palace by His Majesty the King. "Being recognised alongside so many inspiring individuals was deeply humbling, and a memory Jeanette and I will treasure for a very long time. Read more: "Ulverston is in my soul" - Mayor looks back on a year in office Team to cycle 260 miles around Cumbria in aid of volunteer doctors "This recognition reflects the dedication and hard work of the amazing team at Dallam - it's a privilege to work with such a committed group of people who care deeply about giving young people the best possible opportunities." Guests at the event were treated to a performance by students from the Royal Ballet School and music played by the British Army Band Catterick and the Band of The Royal Air Force Regiment. Dallam School is a state school for 11 to 19-year-olds, with 1,000 pupils from 40 local schools, and just over 50 boarders from around the world.
Daily Mirror
17-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Cigarette packet may finally solve 50-year mystery after woman's brutal murder
The police couldn't solve the tragic murder for decades but an incredible DNA technology breakthrough has finally given them more answers Nearly 50 years ago, a 24-year-old woman was found strangled to death in her Volkswagen Beetle, leaving everyone in the city of San Jose reeling. The tragedy went unsolved for decades, but investigators finally have a breakthrough. Evidence gathered on Jeanette Ralston 's death sat in case files gathering dust for years. At the time of the murder, technology just wasn't where it is today. But everything changed in 2018 when the city's police upgraded its fingerprint search algorithm, allowing for more accurate and wide-reaching matches. With the new technology in place, officers decided to try their luck again - to see if an old piece of evidence from the 1977 crime would give them answers. And it did. Willie Eugene Sims, now 69, has been charged with Jeanette's murder, thanks to the fingerprint match from the cigarette pack. "Last year, we threw a Hail Mary by running all of the prints from the crime scene through the FBI database one last time," said Rob Baker, Deputy District Attorney. "The big break happened last summer when the San Jose Police fingerprint examiners told us we had a match that led our investigators to a small town in Ohio six months later," he added. According to court records, Jeanette was last seen on 31 January 1977, just before midnight after leaving a bar in San Jose. Witnesses saw her with an unidentified man. The next morning, she was found in her vehicle parked near a construction site. She had been brutally attacked, with a long-sleeve dress shirt knotted around her neck. The scene suggested the killer had tried to cover his tracks, the car smelled of gasoline, and there were signs that someone had attempted to light it on fire. An autopsy revealed she'd been strangled and sexually assaulted. There was also evidence of an attempted arson, likely to destroy the crime scene and any lingering clues. At the time, Sims was stationed at Fort Ord as an army private. Despite a thorough investigation, he was never linked to the murder - until now. In 1978, Sims was convicted of assault with intent to commit murder in Monterey County. But he only served two and a half months behind bars before moving out of California - avoiding the DNA collection that would eventually become standard. The fingerprint was the break they needed, but it wasn't the only one. Investigators travelled to Ohio earlier this year to collect a DNA sample from Sims. It matched material found under Jeanette's fingernails and on the shirt used to strangle her. This case shows just how powerful forensic science has become. 'Every day, forensic science grows better, and every day criminals are closer to being caught,' said District Attorney Jeff Rosen. 'We don't forget and we don't give up.' Sims was extradited to San Jose and is currently being held without bail. His next court date is set for August 12. If convicted, he faces 25 years to life in prison.
