CSAFD
04-21-2009, 12:42 PM
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Kathy Harmon, 1976
Investigators reopen 1970s murder case
April 21st, 2009
SALT LAKE CITY - A murder case from the 1970s is getting attention due to new DNA evidence and a new witness.
Kathy Harmon's body was found 33 years ago between Emigration Canyon and Mountain Dell. No suspects were arrested.
Now a witness has come forward with information that reopens the case.
Lt. Don Hutson of the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office said, "In this particular circumstance we have received recently some new information regarding a potential suspect's association with the case."
Court documents say the witness repeated statements a suspect made years ago about Harmon's death.
Hutson says they also have developed some new techniques related to DNA. DNA was found under Harmon's fingernails and on her pants found at the scene 33 years ago.
"We have introduced some specimens to laboratories related to this case, and hopefully that will turn into some solid leads that we can follow up on," Hutson said.
"This is something that occurs in a lot of cold cases where we develop new information and we have techniques available to us to make it possible for us to take the case in a new direction," he explained.
He says Harmon's family members are aware of these new developments.
"Our (cold case) detective usually develops quite a relationship with them because this is something that has been bothering them for quite some time," Hutson said.
He says it's still too early to say much else. "There's nothing imminent. In cold cases we want to take our time and not rush anything. They are very complicated and very complex. It may be weeks if not months before we actually come to a conclusion with this particular case," he said.
Harmon was 22 at the time of her death. She had last been seen at a bar on State Street four days before her body was found on March 6, 1976.
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=6225343
Kathy Harmon, 1976
Investigators reopen 1970s murder case
April 21st, 2009
SALT LAKE CITY - A murder case from the 1970s is getting attention due to new DNA evidence and a new witness.
Kathy Harmon's body was found 33 years ago between Emigration Canyon and Mountain Dell. No suspects were arrested.
Now a witness has come forward with information that reopens the case.
Lt. Don Hutson of the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office said, "In this particular circumstance we have received recently some new information regarding a potential suspect's association with the case."
Court documents say the witness repeated statements a suspect made years ago about Harmon's death.
Hutson says they also have developed some new techniques related to DNA. DNA was found under Harmon's fingernails and on her pants found at the scene 33 years ago.
"We have introduced some specimens to laboratories related to this case, and hopefully that will turn into some solid leads that we can follow up on," Hutson said.
"This is something that occurs in a lot of cold cases where we develop new information and we have techniques available to us to make it possible for us to take the case in a new direction," he explained.
He says Harmon's family members are aware of these new developments.
"Our (cold case) detective usually develops quite a relationship with them because this is something that has been bothering them for quite some time," Hutson said.
He says it's still too early to say much else. "There's nothing imminent. In cold cases we want to take our time and not rush anything. They are very complicated and very complex. It may be weeks if not months before we actually come to a conclusion with this particular case," he said.
Harmon was 22 at the time of her death. She had last been seen at a bar on State Street four days before her body was found on March 6, 1976.
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=6225343