DNA under fingernails leads to arrest in 42-year-old Las Vegas cold case rape and murder

Natalie Neysa Alund
Updated ·2 min read
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Sandra DiFelice, 25, was found dead Dec. 26, 1980, in the home she shared with a roommate, police said. More than 42 years later, a suspect has been arrested and charged with murder.
Sandra DiFelice, 25, was found dead Dec. 26, 1980, in the home she shared with a roommate, police said. More than 42 years later, a suspect has been arrested and charged with murder.

DNA found underneath the fingernails of a woman who was raped and killed more than 42 years ago has led to the arrest of suspect in a 1980 cold case, police announced.

Sandra DiFelice, 25, was found dead Dec. 26, 1980, around 9:30 p.m. in the home she shared with a roommate, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Lt. Jason Johansson told reporters at a news conference Monday.

The home where officers found her body is several blocks from the police department's downtown command center.

According to a department news release, DNA collected from under her fingernails was tested using new technology after detectives revisited her case last year.

On Thursday, police arrested Paul Nuttall, 64, and charged him with murder, sexual assault and burglary, the release said.

"I am hopeful in some way, shape or form this provides closure for the family," Johansson said.

Police did not say how DiFelice died.

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On the day of the crime, DiFelice's daughter was 3 years old and was staying with her grandparents, Johansson said. She reached out to police last year, which prompted a review of her mother's case.

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Sandra DiFelice was 25 when her body was found on Dec. 26, 1980, in Las Vegas.
Sandra DiFelice was 25 when her body was found on Dec. 26, 1980, in Las Vegas.

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After the department's DNA lab reviewed the case, officers found additional evidence and processed it using advanced DNA technology, police said.

Evidence led police to Nuttall, who lives in Las Vegas.

Court records show Nuttall was jailed in Las Vegas on Tuesday and was due in court Wednesday for a hearing on the charges.

Natalie Neysa Alund covers trending news for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: DNA leads to arrest in Las Vegas cold case killing of Sandra DiFelice