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Evidence in 2005 Virginia attack key to unlocking Charlottesville murders

June 10, 2016 / 01:23

This episode of 48 Hours covers a 2005 case in Fairfax County, Virginia, involving a young woman who was attacked after giving directions to a man.

The woman, whose instincts warned her about the man, was assaulted but managed to survive thanks to a passerby who heard her screams. The police had limited evidence, but the victim provided a detailed description that led to an artist's sketch.

Crucially, DNA found under her fingernails became a key piece of evidence, linking the attacker to not only her case but also two murders.

The episode highlights the determination and detective work that went into solving these crimes, showcasing the intersection of luck and skill in law enforcement.

TLDR

A 2005 Fairfax County attack leads to a DNA breakthrough linking multiple crimes.

Episode

1:23

00:00:00

on a September night in 2005 a young woman was walking home from the grocery store along this sidewalk in Fairfax

00:00:06

County Virginia it was dark but she wasn't particularly afraid this is a safe area but then a man came up and

00:00:12

asked her for directions she said she thought there was something odd about him but she politely gave him the

00:00:18

directions and continued on her way unfortunately for her her instincts about this guy were absolutely right he

00:00:25

came up behind her grabbed her threw her to the ground and she ended up some 50 or 60 yards over here her clothing was

00:00:32

found over near that garbage can luckily for her a passerby heard her screams came to her aid and probably

00:00:40

saved her life in a case like this the police don't have too much to work with the young woman was able to give an

00:00:46

artist enough information so that he could do a sketch but more importantly than that a fragment of DNA was found

00:00:53

under the fingernail of her right hand that DNA would provide the clue the key to solving not just this rape but also

00:01:02

several other crimes police say two murders in fact the story of how it all came together how police

00:01:10

pieced the pieces of the puzzle together is one of determination dogged detective

00:01:15

work Blind Luck and pure serendipity and it's the subject of our 48 hours this Saturday

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Episode Highlights

A Night of Terror
In 2005, a woman faced a terrifying encounter while walking home. Her instincts proved vital.
“Her instincts about this guy were absolutely right.”
@ 00m 20s
June 10, 2016
The Power of Community
A passerby heard the woman's screams and came to her aid, potentially saving her life.
“A passerby heard her screams and probably saved her life.”
@ 00m 34s
June 10, 2016
DNA Clue Uncovered
A fragment of DNA found under the victim's fingernail became crucial in solving multiple crimes.
“That DNA would provide the clue, the key to solving not just this rape.”
@ 00m 56s
June 10, 2016

Episode Quotes

Her instincts about this guy were absolutely right.
Evidence in 2005 Virginia attack key to unlocking Charlottesville murders
A passerby heard her screams and probably saved her life.
Evidence in 2005 Virginia attack key to unlocking Charlottesville murders
That DNA would provide the clue, the key to solving not just this rape.
Evidence in 2005 Virginia attack key to unlocking Charlottesville murders

Key Moments

Instincts Matter00:20
Community Hero00:34
DNA Breakthrough00:56