Home / Crime and Justice / DNA Solves 45-Year-Old Baby Death Mystery
DNA Solves 45-Year-Old Baby Death Mystery
20 Apr
Summary
- Teacher arrested for 1981 infant murder after DNA match.
- Baby found deceased on college campus in 1981.
- Cold case solved after 45 years using genealogy technology.
In a shocking turn of events, Nancy Trottier, 65, a respected teacher with a career spanning over four decades, was arrested on April 7, 2026, and charged with the murder of her newborn baby, Rebecca. The infant was discovered deceased on the Valley City State College campus in 1981, with evidence suggesting suffocation.
The case languished for 45 years until investigators reopened it in 2019, employing modern DNA technology. A significant breakthrough occurred in August 2020 with a genetic genealogy report that pointed to a possible relative. This led authorities to Trottier, who was a student at the college in 1981.
During police interviews in October 2021, Trottier allegedly made statements indicating possible involvement. DNA testing later confirmed her and her then-boyfriend as Rebecca's biological parents. Trottier's DNA was also found on items at the crime scene. She is currently held on a $750,000 bond, with a court date set for May 21, 2026.
Despite the accusations, Trottier had a long and distinguished career, working at the North Dakota School for the Deaf for 41 years and retiring in 2024. She had four other children with her husband after the infant's death. The arrest brings a long-awaited sense of closure to Valley City residents who were impacted by the case.
