How was the 1993 Long Island baby murder case solved?

The 1993 cold case was solved using Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG), which matches crime scene DNA to public databases.

Who confessed to the murder of the newborn baby in Calverton?

Denise Merker, 55, confessed to killing her newborn daughter in 1993 after her DNA was linked to the crime scene.

When was the baby's identity discovered in the cold case?

The baby's identity remained a mystery until January 2025, when her information was added to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System.

Home / Crime and Justice / Newborn Cold Case Cracked by DNA: Mother Confesses

Newborn Cold Case Cracked by DNA: Mother Confesses

28 Feb

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Summary

A 1993 cold case was solved using genetic genealogy technology.
The mother confessed after being arrested for her baby's murder.
Forensic genealogy matches crime scene DNA to public databases.

Newborn Cold Case Cracked by DNA: Mother Confesses

In a stunning development, a 1993 cold case involving the death of a newborn baby girl on Long Island has been solved, leading to the arrest and confession of the mother. Denise Merker, 55, admitted to killing her infant daughter in September 1993, three decades after the baby's body was discovered by a state highway cleaning crew in Calverton, New York.

The breakthrough in this decades-old mystery was significantly aided by Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG). This technology allows investigators to match DNA found at crime scenes with public genealogical databases, tracing familial connections to identify suspects. Retired NYPD detective Michael Alcazar emphasized the crucial role of FIGG in cracking cases where traditional databases like CODIS yield no results.