After nearly four decades, investigators have identified a suspect in the death of missing teenager Donna Sue Wayne, whose skeletal remains were found in a field in northeast Aurora. The suspect, Richard “Ricky” Saathoff, 65, is already in prison for the murder and sexual assault of another woman killed in the city seven months after Wayne. Saathoff faces charges of first-degree murder and second-degree kidnapping in Wayne’s death, according to the Arapahoe County District Attorney’s Office. The news of Saathoff’s arrest was first reported by 9News.
The arrest affidavit sheds light on the investigation that spanned over 40 years, using DNA, fingerprint evidence, and witness statements to identify Saathoff as a suspect. Wayne went missing after attending a house party in Montbello, and was last seen alive being assaulted by a man in her car. Her body was found a month later in a field in Aurora with significant injuries.
The investigation into Wayne’s death faced challenges, with evidence going missing and leads not panning out. However, a breakthrough came when fingerprints from the crime scene were matched to Saathoff, who was already serving time for another murder in the same area. DNA evidence further linked Saathoff to the crimes, and he remains in prison with a chance for parole in 2027.
The case serves as a reminder of the persistence of law enforcement in solving cold cases and bringing justice to victims and their families. Saathoff’s connection to both Wayne and Houston’s murders highlights the importance of thorough investigations and advancements in forensic technology.
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