DAVIE, FLA. (WSVN) – After nearly four decades, the Davie Police Department said they have solved the 1987 murder of 28-year-old Marilyn Decker, identifying the suspect through advanced DNA analysis and genetic genealogy.<\/p>\n
Decker\u2019s body was found floating in a canal near the 3000 block of Flamingo Road on Oct. 3, 1987, with multiple stab wounds. <\/p>\n
The Broward County Medical Examiner\u2019s Office ruled her death a homicide caused by asphyxiation. Despite multiple suspects and years of investigation, the case went cold in the 1990s.<\/p>\n
In 2021, Davie Police\u2019s Cold Case Unit reopened the investigation, reexamined evidence, and partnered with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Astrea Forensics in California, and Parabon NanoLabs. <\/p>\n
Using DNA extracted from hairs recovered from the scene, Chief Genealogist CeCe Moore built a genetic tree that led investigators to a suspect \u2014 Donald Lawless, born in 1925 in Ohio.<\/p>\n
Police said they determined Lawless lived in Florida, including in Davie, during the 1980s and had an extensive criminal history dating back to the 1940s. <\/p>\n
Although he died and was cremated in 1995, investigators obtained DNA from a close relative and confirmed Lawless as the man responsible for Decker\u2019s death, police said.<\/p>\n
The Broward County State Attorney\u2019s Office reviewed the case and agreed there was sufficient evidence to charge Lawless, officially closing the case after 38 years.<\/p>\n
Davie Police said they have remained in contact with Decker\u2019s family, who have been informed that justice has finally been served.<\/p>\n
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