With DNA break, police ID victim in decades-old Newfoundland case
CTV
A skull was found along a backroad near St. John's more than 20 years ago. Now, police have finally identified the victim of the homicide.
Advances in DNA technology have given police in Newfoundland and Labrador the break they needed to move forward on a 23-year-old cold case.
The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary (RNC) announced Wednesday it had learned the name of Temistocle Casas, whose skull was found alone on a back road in the town of Conception Bay South, N.L., in 2001.
Police say they are actively investigating the case and believe it to be a homicide.
"We say every piece of information is vital and can be valuable, and in this case, that's more true than ever," said Const. James Cadigan, a spokesperson with the RNC.
"Because so much time has passed since this gentleman's death, every small piece or detail can lead us in a direction."
Multiple public pleas for information, along with a cash reward, proved ultimately fruitless for the police who worked to identify the remains for two decades. It wasn't until advances in DNA testing and matching became popular that a breakthrough was made.
