Second suspect named in 1970 murder of Maryland teen thanks to DNA and forensic genealogy
Investigators have named a second suspect in connection with the murder of a Maryland high school student more than 50 years ago.
Donald Willard was identified using forensic genetic genealogy and traditional investigative methods in the murder of Pamela Lynn Conyers, 16, in 1970, Anne Arundel County police said in a statement Monday.
The first suspect, Forrest Clyde Williams III, was identified last year using DNA evidence collected from Conyers' body and clothes.
"During the investigative genetic genealogy process, the FBI personal utilized publicly accessible databases and conducted open source research to locate potential relatives of the suspects," the acting special agent in charge of the FBI Baltimore field office, Joe Rothrock, said Monday. "Interviews of these relatives were conducted and eventually led to the identification of suspects."
Willard and Williams died before they could be charged with the murder. It is unclear how and whether they knew each other, and there is no indication that they knew Conyers before her death.
On Oct. 16, 1970, Conyers attended a bonfire at Glen Burnie High School before she ran an errand at Harundale Mall, the last place she was seen alive, police said.
Her body was found four days later a short distance from her abandoned vehicle in some woods in Anne Arundel County. An autopsy ruled her cause of death was homicide by asphyxiation.
"This announcement has been a long time coming, particularly for Pam's family and friends," Anne Arundel County Police Chief Amal Awad said at a news conference Monday. "While we do hope it provides a sense of closure to all who knew and loved her, we know they still search for answers to what happened to Pam."
Investigators are asking the public for help filling in missing pieces of information and determining whether the suspects could have been responsible for additional crimes.
Both men were hunters known to frequent the now-closed Mountain Bar. Willard worked on the Route 100 construction project where Conyers' body was found.
"Share your experiences with us," police spokesperson Justin Mulcahy said. "Maybe you hunted or fished with them. Maybe you worked or drank a beer with them. If you did, call us."
"It's not too late to come forward with information. There's no information that's too small. It's all significant to us," Mulcahy added.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
