Breakthrough in DNA Technology Leads to Arrest in 30-Year-Old Double Murder Case

New DNA Technology Leads to Arrest in 30-Year-Old Cold Case Murder

In a stunning breakthrough, new advancements in DNA technology have led to the arrest and indictment of a Georgia man in connection to a double murder and rape case that had remained unsolved for over 30 years.

District Attorney Sherry Boston for DeKalb County announced at a press conference that Kenneth Perry, 55, of Loganville, has been apprehended and charged in the brutal stabbing deaths of siblings Pamela Sumpter, 43, and John Sumpter, 46, back in 1990.

The siblings were attacked in their shared residence in Stone Mountain on July 15, 1990, with John tragically losing his life and Pamela sustaining stab wounds and being raped. Despite producing a rape kit and providing crucial information to the police, Pamela succumbed to her injuries two weeks later, leaving the case cold for years.

It wasn’t until October 2023 when the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office received a grant to utilize Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG) in solving cold cases. FGG involves running DNA profiles through family tree databases to identify potential relatives and determine the identity of the DNA sample.

The FGG process eventually led investigators to a genealogical match with Pamela’s rape kit, pointing to Kenneth Perry as a potential suspect. Additionally, a DNA profile from the rape kit was uploaded to a national database, which matched an unprosecuted sexual assault case in Detroit in 1992 where the victim identified Perry as her ex-boyfriend.

Armed with this information, investigators located and arrested Perry on June 6 in Gwinnett County. He is currently being held without bond at the DeKalb County Jail.

The breakthrough in this case highlights the crucial role of scientific advancements and investigative technology in bringing justice to long-pending cases. James Sumpter, the brother of the victims, expressed gratitude during the press conference, stating that after over three decades, they finally have closure.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of law enforcement and the power of DNA technology, a 30-year-old cold case has now been solved, providing a sense of closure for the victims’ family and justice for the victims.