Home / Crime and Justice / DNA Breakthrough Solves 35-Year-Old Charlotte Murder
DNA Breakthrough Solves 35-Year-Old Charlotte Murder
20 Feb
Summary
- Suspect arrested for 1991 murder after DNA linked him to victim.
- New DNA technology analyzed old evidence, leading to the breakthrough.
- The suspect admitted to being at the victim's home and having contact.
A suspect, Marion Gales, has been charged with the first-degree murder of Kim Thomas, a Charlotte mother whose death occurred 35 years ago. The arrest, which took place the day before he appeared before a judge, was a direct result of advancements in DNA testing technology.
New details emerging from court documents indicate that a neighbor had reported a man, later identified as Gales, claiming to be a police officer at his door hours before Thomas' body was discovered. Another witness reported seeing Gales with blood on his shirt that same day.
While Gales had been a suspect in the past, investigators were only recently able to connect him to the crime thanks to new DNA analysis. This technology, applied to evidence collected from Thomas' body and a rug, provided a genetic match to Gales.
Gales has an extensive criminal record dating back to his teenage years, including convictions for manslaughter, burglary, theft, and assault. He previously served significant prison time for his involvement in other violent crimes.
