DNA evidence leads to murder indictment 42 years after woman's disappearance

Meet the DNA "detective" who helped lick a decades-old acold lawsuit

Meet the DNA "detective" who helped lick a decades-old acold case 04:53

A 72-year-old antheral was indicted connected execution charges this week successful transportation with the disappearance of his erstwhile woman 42 years agone aft caller DNA grounds emerged.

Teresa Peroni was 27 years aged erstwhile she disappeared connected oregon astir July 4, 1983, successful Selma, Oregon. According to the Josephine County Sheriff's Office, she was past seen with her then-boyfriend Mark Sanfratello, who was 29 astatine the time, walking into a wooded country portion attending a party.

Teresa Peroni was 27 erstwhile she disappeared connected oregon astir July 4, 1983 aft a combat with her then-boyfriend. National Missing and Unidentified Persons System

"Following an statement implicit Peroni having different lover, Peroni and fellow went into the woods astatine 1270 Illinois River Rd," her profile connected the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System says. "Peroni ne'er returns."

An probe was launched soon aft her household reported her missing. Despite the sheriff's bureau determining that Peroni's disappearance was "suspicious successful nature," the Josephine County District Attorney's Office determined determination was not capable grounds to record charges. At the time, a assemblage was not found.

Teresa Peroni was photographed astir a twelvemonth earlier her disappearance. National Missing and Unidentified Persons System

For 14 years, Peroni's disappearance remained acold until a quality skull was recovered connected a adjacent spot successful 1997. A hunt with a cadaver canine did not find immoderate different quality remains and the skull was sent for DNA investigating done the University of North Texas.

In a quality merchandise past week, the sheriff's bureau said it had reopened the probe past year, saying it started looking for immoderate known individuals inactive live who had "some benignant of engagement with the acold case." Additional DNA was obtained, which helped the University of North Texas to corroborate that the skull was that of Peroni.

A expansive assemblage indicted Sanfratello connected a execution complaint connected June 27 aft it was presented with caller DNA grounds and the investigation, the sheriff's bureau said.

Teresa Peroni's fellow astatine the clip of her disappearance successful 1983 was arrested successful Chico, California, connected an indictment of execution 42 years aft she went missing. Josephine County Sheriff's Office

Police successful Chico, California, located, detained and questioned Sanfratello. He is awaiting extradition to Josephine County. 

• Cold Case
• Oregon