A cold case that had remained unsolved for over four decades has finally been closed, thanks to new DNA evidence linking a man to the rape and murder of a teenage girl in 1979. Esther Gonzalez, a 17-year-old girl from Beaumont, Calif., was walking to her sister’s house in Banning when she was brutally attacked. Her body was later found dumped in a snowpack off Highway 243, where she had been raped and bludgeoned to death.
The case initially went cold, with only an unidentified man, Lewis Randolph “Randy” Williamson, who found the body and called the authorities. Williamson had taken a polygraph test at the time and was cleared of any wrongdoing. However, recent advancements in forensic genealogy allowed investigators to revisit the case and link Williamson to the crime through DNA evidence.
Using a semen sample found on Gonzalez’s body from 44 years ago, investigators were able to match Williamson’s DNA to the crime scene. Although Williamson had passed away in 2014, a blood sample taken during his autopsy confirmed the DNA match, closing the case once and for all. The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office announced the breakthrough in a press release, ending the long-standing cold case.
Jason Corey, the master investigator for the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office, expressed empathy for Gonzalez’s family, who had endured years of uncertainty and grief. He highlighted the importance of forensic genealogy as a valuable tool for solving cold cases and bringing closure to families affected by such tragedies.
Moving forward, Corey emphasized the significance of forensic genealogy in generating leads for unsolved cases and bringing perpetrators to justice. The Riverside County Regional Cold Case Homicide Team encourages anyone with information about Williamson or the case to come forward and assist in ongoing investigations.
In conclusion, the resolution of Esther Gonzalez’s cold case serves as a reminder of the relentless efforts of law enforcement agencies to seek justice for victims and their families. Through advancements in forensic technology and dedicated investigative work, even the oldest and most challenging cases can be solved, providing closure and peace to those affected by violent crimes.
