DNA Breakthrough: Neighbors Uncovered in the Brutal Killing of an 84-Year-Old Woman, Nearly Three Decades Later
Decades after the brutal murder of 84-year-old Wilma Mobley, new breakthroughs in DNA technology have finally led authorities to her neighbor, unlocking a long-standing cold case in Idaho
The brutal murder of 84-year-old Wilma Mobley had remained unsolved for over 20 years, making it a cold case. She was found dead in Jerome, Idaho on August 10, 1995, having been strangled and attacked with a weapon resembling an axe, according to authorities.
Several potential suspects were identified by the police, but none had enough evidence to be conclusively responsible. However, new advancements and DNA found on Mobley's underclothing at the time of her killing led authorities to her neighbor this year, Police Chief Jerome announced in a news release on Wednesday. The suspect, Danny Lee Kennison, died by suicide in his Filer, Idaho home in 2001, according to Police Chief Duane Rubink.
Throughout the investigation, Kennison had been one of three potential suspects, according to the police chief. However, with no definitive evidence, the case eventually went cold.
Authorities persisted in revisiting the case, seeking assistance from the FBI and the Idaho State Police lab in order to apprehend the killer, Rubink reported.
In the summer of 2022, a fresh investigator reexamined the case and the evidence gathered at the time of the murder, and forwarded items to the state police forensic lab for testing in March 2023.
Lori Anne Razpotnik.
King County Sheriff's Office
For years, the human remains connected to the Green River killer were only identified as Bones 17. However, recent DNA testing has uncovered the individual's name.
The case saw a breakthrough just this week when state police lab technicians announced that they had discovered a "significant amount of a DNA profile" matching Kennison on a clasp of Mobley's underclothing, which had been sent for testing, as stated by the police chief.
"The Idaho State Police emphasized the potential of DNA science to reveal long-hidden truths in a recent Facebook post. They highlighted the ability of science, paired with determined investigative efforts, to solve mysteries and provide closure to victims and their loved ones. Despite being neighbors, Kennison and Mobley did not have a personal connection at the time of her tragic killing, according to the police."
Rubink announced the case would be closed based on the DNA evidence matching Kennison and the absence of any other DNA profiles linked to the suspects mentioned in the case file. The detective took over the case and met with family members on Tuesday to deliver the news, the police reported.
Rubink expressed gratitude to the officers, detectives, and prosecutors who dedicated years to working on this case and preserving the available evidence for testing. Jerome is situated approximately 115 miles southeast of Boise.
