Killer of Tanya Van Cuylenborg and Jay Cook eludes police for 31 years – how did CeCe Moore find him in two hours?

This story initially aired Nov. 20, 2021. it was up to date on Jan. 21, 2023.

When Chelsea Rustad uploaded her DNA on a public database, she by no means anticipated two police investigators would seem on her doorstep.

“They let me know that they’re investigating a member of the family of mine for homicide,” she tells “48 Hours” correspondent Erin Moriarty. “… a double murder from 1987 … This was an individual who was in my household tree.”

For greater than 30 years, investigators in Washington state had been attempting to unravel the murders of 18-year-old Tanya Van Cuylenborg and her 20-year-old boyfriend, Jay Cook dinner.

The killer’s identification remained a thriller for investigators till DNA proof discovered on Tanya’s pants was uploaded to the identical web site that contained Rustad’s DNA, enabling genetic genealogist CeCe Moore to determine the seemingly suspect in simply two hours.

Moore, recognized for her work on the PBS collection “Discovering Your Roots,” was known as in to assist discover the one that matched the unidentified DNA.

“It is the online of matches,” Moore says. “It is placing these items collectively little by little.”

“Genetic family tree has uncovered loads of secrets and techniques that folks had hoped would stay secret,” Moriarty says to Moore.

“Sure,” Moore says. “Oftentimes, it is somebody’s deepest, darkest secret.”

How did Moore slim down the suspect? And the way did he elude investigators so lengthy?

YOUNG COUPLE MURDERED

Det. Jim Scharf: I’ve an issue that I am relentless and I do not surrender (laughs).

There could also be no extra dogged investigator than Snohomish County chilly case detective Jim Scharf. Particularly when it got here to the murders of Tanya Van Cuylenborg and Jay Cook dinner.

Det. Jim Scharf: It was in all probability essentially the most horrendous unsolved case that we had. … Tanya Van Cuylenborg was an 18-year-old lady. She’d simply graduated from highschool. She was in a brand new relationship with Jay Cook dinner.   

On November 18, 1987, the younger couple left British Columbia in Jay’s father or mother’s van heading for Seattle, Washington. 

Det. Jim Scharf (with map): Jay was going to go to GENSCO Heating in Seattle to select up some furnace elements for his dad. 

They deliberate to sleep within the van, close to the shop, and drive again to Canada the subsequent day.

Det. Jim Scharf: So, once they did not present up that night, the households grew to become involved.

John Van Cuylenborg: We simply had no thought the place they is perhaps or what may need transpired.

Tanya’s massive brother John was at school when he obtained a name from his apprehensive father.

Erin Moriarty: John, would your sister ever simply go off and never name your dad and mom?

John Van Cuylenborg: No. I do not suppose that it ever occurred … you realize, if the plans had modified and he or she was going to spend one other night time … she would have known as my dad and mom.

After Tanya and Jay have been reported lacking, regulation enforcement started searching for them. Determined for solutions, John and his father joined the search in Seattle.

John Van Cuylenborg: One thing was gravely fallacious. I imply, the apparent issues when it comes to them being in hospital or one thing or simply merely with a flat tire someplace, all these extra harmless explanations have been just about vanishing.

On November 24, six days after the couple disappeared, John’s worst fears have been confirmed.  Tanya’s physique was discovered on the backside of ditch in rural Skagit County, some 80 miles north of Seattle.

Det. Jim Scharf: She wasn’t sporting any pants or panties. … and her bra was pushed up over her breasts. So, it clearly regarded like a rape-murder. 

Tanya had been shot within the head at shut vary.

Det. Jim Scharf: She rolled down the hill … It was a fast execution.

Later that night, John needed to determine his sister’s physique.

John Van Cuylenborg: It is such a crushing feeling … that swiftly you see her mendacity there. … It is positively horrific. … However we had no thought nonetheless about the place was Jay? The place was the van? … How did this occur? Why did it occur?

The following day, Tanya’s pockets, the keys to the van, some bullets, and quite a lot of different gadgets turned up 16 miles away, in Bellingham. That they had been discarded below the porch of an area tavern subsequent to the Greyhound bus station.

Police situated the van in a close-by car parking zone, however Jay was nonetheless lacking.

Det. Jim Scharf (exhibiting map): The next day … Jay’s physique was discovered … beneath Excessive Bridge.

He was about 70 miles south of the place Tanya had been discovered.

Det. Jim Scharf:  It was a horrible scene.

Her 20-year-old boyfriend had been strangled — a pack of cigarettes stuffed down his throat. 

Erin Moriarty: What did most investigators take into consideration this killer? I imply, who does one thing like this?

Det. Jim Scharf:  Proper. That was the massive query. … this was an individual who was an actual predator.  And it was … believed on the time … that it was in all probability a serial killer or an ex-convict.

However discovering that predator can be difficult. Investigators and forensic scientists had 4 crime scenes scattered over three counties, however few clues.  A bullet casing discovered on the hillside close to Tanya’s physique matched these bullets collected on the tavern in Bellingham, however a gun was by no means discovered.  

A surgical glove was found below the porch. Investigators imagine the killer wore it to keep away from leaving fingerprints. However he might have been careless.

Det. Jim Scharf: There was a palm print on the again of the van that … they believed hopefully belonged to the suspect. 

Contained in the van, they discovered what would finally be crucial piece of proof: the black pants Tanya had been sporting.

Det. Jim Scharf: They discovered that there was semen on Tanya’s pants … and once they examined the semen, they discovered that it could not be left from Jay.

The pattern matched the DNA discovered inside Tanya’s physique, and would later be referred to as “Particular person A.”

However the one proof that linked all 4 crime scenes have been plastic zip ties discovered close to Tanya and Jay’s our bodies, below the porch, and contained in the van.  In line with Detective Scharf, they have been a part of the killer’s rape-murder package.

Det. Jim Scharf: This was a predator that was attempting to find a sufferer that he wished to rape. And possibly in his thoughts, he determined that he was going to kill them too.

John Van Cuylenborg: They have been two-mild mannered, soft-spoken children. They weren’t out to select a battle with anybody. … I imply, each households have been simply so devastated.

Hoping to seek out the killer, Tanya’s household provided a $50,000 reward for info. Suggestions got here in, however none panned out.

John Van Cuylenborg: The police, to their credit score, have been attempting to chase down each form of principle. 

Over time, the theories and false leads would develop, and greater than 200 names would fill the case file; some have been convicted felons. After which there was Charles Sinclair.

Det. Jim Scharf: He was believed to be a serial killer throughout the western United States.

There additionally was an nameless author who despatched threatening letters to Jay and Tanya’s households claiming to be the killer.

John Van Cuylenborg: It was simply unfathomable to suppose that, you realize, anyone not solely had performed these murders however then was going to proceed taunting the households with these letters. 

However each suspect’s DNA was in comparison with Particular person A’s profile, and none matched.

Lisa Collins: the purpose was to strive to determine … Who did this semen pattern belong to?

Lisa Collins, a forensic scientist with the Washington State Patrol, uploaded Particular person A’s profile to CODIS – the FBI’s nationwide offender database.

Lisa Collins: Because the years glided by, simply full silence. …  it is disheartening. You simply — are afraid that this is perhaps a type of circumstances that is by no means gonna be solved.

After which, greater than 30 years after Tanya and Jay have been killed — there is a break within the case.

Lisa Collins: I used to be skeptical. I used to be hopeful however I used to be skeptical. And I– I am a believer now.

AN INVESTIGATIVE GAME CHANGER

Lisa Collins: We had these unique semen samples — from the pants after which from Tanya’s physique …  attempting to determine who this pattern might belong to … that was the tedious and arduous half.

The person police believed killed Tanya Van Cuylenborg and Jay Cook dinner left behind a forensic calling card, says Lisa Collins, however nonetheless managed to elude seize for years.

After which in 2017, Detective Jim Scharf heard about an modern device developed by Parabon NanoLabs that makes use of DNA proof to foretell the genetic traits of an unknown suspect.  It is known as Snapshot Phenotyping.

Det. Jim Scharf: They collect all that info, and so they find yourself making a Snapshot … of what a person with all of these traits would possibly look just like.

Parabon was employed to make use of Particular person A’s DNA to create a composite sketch which gave Scharf some clues as to what the suspect may appear to be on the ages of 25, 45 and 65, however he nonetheless did not have a reputation.

Then, in 2018, a surprising arrest in California opened new doorways for regulation enforcement.

GAYLE KING | “CBS THIS MORNING”: Investigators in California say DNA proof led them to one of many nation’s most infamous serial killers. …He’s believed to be the so-called Golden State Killer.

The person liable for quite a few rapes and murders was lastly apprehended after 43 years utilizing genetic family tree. 

Erin Moriarty: Did a bit of mild bulb go over your head at that second?

Det. Jim Scharf: Oh yeah, massive mild bulb.

The Golden State Killer’s DNA had been uploaded to GEDmatch, a genetic database that enables customers of assorted client take a look at kits to share and examine their DNA.

Det. Jim Scharf: That is implausible. I must get on this.

Parabon agreed to add Particular person A’s DNA to GEDmatch and known as in genetic genealogist CeCe Moore. She’s recognized for her work on the PBS present, “Discovering Your Roots.”

And she or he’s famed for expertise at mapping household bushes.  However this was her first legal case.

CeCe Moore:  I had had loads of doubts whether or not this was the fitting factor for me to do and I lastly made the choice, “OK, I am — I am gonna do that.” However lots was driving on that case.

It was a case she had been following for years and felt a private connection to.  Moore’s dad and mom have been from the Pacific Northwest, and he or she was the identical age as Tanya Van Cuylenborg.

CeCe Moore: She was killed proper after I was graduating highschool, and going onto school, and my life was simply actually starting and hers ended so tragically. And so, I believe it all the time caught with me. 

On Friday April 27, 2018, Particular person A’s DNA file was uploaded to GEDmatch.

CeCe Moore: It is in contrast in opposition to everybody that is collaborating in that database. And so, what they’re searching for are lengthy segments of an identical DNA between two folks.  … Generally the match checklist will present up immediately and generally it takes a few days. So, I stayed up actually late that Friday night time. I saved checking.  There have been no matches.

The following morning Moore logged on to see if there was an inventory.

CeCe Moore:  And there was. … And so, we’re hoping for at the least a second cousin or nearer on the high of that checklist. … And we used to name that bein’ struck by lightning.

Erin Moriarty: Had been you struck by lightning on this case?

CeCe Moore: Twice. We have been caught — struck by (laughs) lightning twice.

On the checklist have been two individuals who shared sufficient DNA with Particular person A to be his second cousins.

Erin Moriarty: And what was that — what was that feeling like?

CeCe Moore: It was fairly thrilling (laughs) and s — scary.

On this case the cousins shared DNA with Particular person A however not with one another, which meant they’re associated to him on completely different branches of his household tree.  However to determine who he was, Moore first needed to discover out who they have been.  

CeCe Moore: Now, thankfully one of many folks on the high of that checklist had a very distinctive identify.

Erin Moriarty: And what was her identify?

CeCe Moore: Chelsea Rustad.

Chelsea Rustad had taken an Ancestry DNA take a look at after which went a step additional.

Chelsea Rustad: You may obtain your uncooked DNA file to your laptop after which add it to GEDmatch. … I simply had no inkling in any respect that … that there have been secret relations I did not find out about or mysteries to uncover.

Neither did the opposite second cousin – who Moore was additionally capable of determine – however has chosen to stay nameless 

CeCe Moore: After which I constructed the household bushes of these high two matches, and surprisingly rapidly I found how they converged. … it solely took me two hours to come back to the identification of who I believed to be Tanya and Jay’s killer.

Erin Moriarty: It is a one that had eluded seize, investigation for 31 years, and also you have been capable of determine this individual in two hours?

CeCe Moore: That is the ability of genetic family tree. Yeah.

Erin Moriarty: However how positive have been you?

CeCe Moore: I used to be very positive.

Erin Moriarty: However is not that scary, CeCe? As a result of … your work would possibly find yourself with this individual in jail.

CeCe Moore: Proper. And at that second I am the one individual on the earth who is aware of that he is in all probability responsible of this crime, aside from him, in fact. And so, it’s a tremendous heavy burden. 

Monday morning, April 30, Detective Jim Scharf obtained the information. 

Det. Jim Scharf: We have it narrowed down to at least one man. And I am considering I do not imagine this

… And my first thought is … who’s the man?

A SUSPECT IS IDENTIFIED

Thirty-plus years. Dozens of useless ends. A whole bunch of false leads.

After which, in April of 2018, CeCe Moore obtained on a pc and out of the billions of individuals on earth, recognized — by means of genetic family tree — the one man she believed killed Jay Cook dinner and Tanya Van Cuylenberg.

Erin Moriarty: Who was the individual you recognized?

CeCe Moore: William Earl Talbott II.

William Earl Talbott II.  When Detective Jim Scharf heard the identify, he ran it by means of the system and was shocked to be taught that Talbott had no felony convictions. 

Det. Jim Scharf: It was a brand new identify we would by no means heard of earlier than. … However it was positive good once we discovered that he solely lived 7 miles from the bridge the place Jay’s physique was discovered.

Scharf additionally discovered that in 1987, Talbott, who was 24 on the time, labored as a supply driver and made stops close to the place Jay and Tanya have been headed to select up that furnace half — and says Talbott was fired just a few months earlier than the murders.

Det. Jim Scharf: So, it is sensible … that he was down in that space prowling round and doubtless bumped into Jay and Tanya.

However Scharf wanted greater than previous work information and genetic family tree.

CeCe Moore: It is actually only a tip. It is an investigative lead.

To make an arrest, Scharf wanted to make certain that the DNA left on the crime scene by the person they knew solely as Particular person A matched William Talbott’s.  So in some way, Scharf needed to acquire a recent DNA pattern from Talbott himself. 

Det. Jim Scharf: We have been going to observe him till he dropped or threw away something that had touched his mouth as a result of we wished his saliva on it as the most effective sort of DNA supply. 

Investigators discovered Talbott now drove a semi, and so they started tailing his truck. At some point a couple of week later, they watched as Talbot stopped at a crimson mild and opened the truck door.

Det. Jim Scharf: The sunshine modifications to inexperienced, he slams the door and drives away, and there is a white paper cup laying on the road. … It is blowing round within the wind. So, they bounce out, they go over and so they acquire the cup, and so they name me.

Scharf rushed the paper cup to forensic scientist Lisa Collins with the Washington State Patrol.

Lisa Collins: They wished me to check this cup and simply see if I may get a DNA profile from it.

Scharf left the cup on the lab to await the outcomes. CeCe Moore had already begun looking for Talbott on-line, and rapidly discovered his sisters and father on social media.

CeCe Moore: I could not discover hardly something about him. You recognize, no marriages. I may discover little or no footprint on-line in any respect. And that was a bit of uncommon. 

Years earlier, another person who knew nothing concerning the investigation, had made the same search … Chelsea Rustad.  In 2013, lengthy earlier than she submitted her DNA to any web sites, Rustad Googled her grandpa’s sister Blanche and located loads of info on-line.

Chelsea Rustad: Her daughter was Patty Talbot. And Patty had three daughters and one son, and the son was William Earl Talbott.

These have been Rustad’s second cousins, the Talbotts. Chelsea friended two of the sisters on Fb, however their brother William was a thriller.

Chelsea Rustad: This man was simply sort of a query mark. Off the grid. 

Rustad figured William Talbott was estranged from his household, however did not give it a lot thought, even after she uploaded her DNA to Ancestry.com after which GEDmatch. So, she was surprised that day in 2018, when these investigators confirmed up on her doorstep, and requested to see her analysis.  

Chelsea Rustad: Man, I am simply sort of like, “wait. One in all — you are saying one among my members of the family is linked to a homicide?” They usually’re saying, you realize,” yeah. It is from 1987. And the individual of curiosity is William Earl Talbott.”

Chelsea Rustad: And I am like, sort of greedy the scope of this. … And … you realize, sickened fascinated about it.

The investigators wished to know her impression of William Talbott.

Chelsea Rustad: I advised them … my principle. That I believe he is estranged.

Detective Scharf obtained extra particulars from Talbott’s family and friends.

Det. Jim Scharf: He had a historical past of anger and violence when he was youthful.

In audiotaped interviews with Talbott’s sisters, Scharf discovered William’s troubles started when he was 11 and his father was critically harm in a bike accident. The sisters say William started to lash out.

TALBOTT’S SISTER: He was actually an offended child.

TALBOTT’S SISTER: He beat me up, broke my tailbone, I needed to go to the hospital.

One other sister says William harm her too. Nonetheless, she mentioned, she did not suppose he was able to homicide.

TALBOTT’S OTHER SISTER: Yeah, he … could possibly be a bonehead, however to not the purpose of … attacking or killing anyone, no.

However would the DNA on the paper cup inform a distinct story? That was on Detective Scharf’s thoughts when he returned to the police lab, and Lisa Collins shared the outcomes of her testing.

Lisa Collins: I mentioned, “The profile from the cup matches Particular person A.”… it was simply an — a tremendous second, yeah. 

Erin Moriarty: What did that really feel like, Jim?

Det. Jim Scharf: I obtained tears in my eyes … I am like, I can not imagine it. It is so emotional. After which I am like, yeah, we obtained him (laughs).

So, on Could 17, 2018, almost 31 years after two carefree youngsters set out on a street journey and by no means returned, Detective Scharf arrested William Talbott.

John Van Cuylenborg: He says “John, we obtained him.”

Scharf known as Tanya’s brother John immediately, saying that in the end Particular person A was in handcuffs.  

John Van Cuylenborg: I imply, that is when it actually despatched a chill down my backbone. … It was fairly overwhelming to suppose that it had all culminated in that second proper there, 31 years later.

The following day, William Talbott was charged with Tanya’s homicide. Fees for Jay’s homicide quickly adopted. Jay’s sister spoke at a press convention.

LAURA BAANSTRA: It is arduous to place into phrases this sense of reduction, of pleasure, of — of nice sorrow that this arrest brings.

Jay’s mother mentioned the second was bittersweet.

LEONA COOK: On one hand, we’re near closure, and on the opposite, we’re nonetheless at a loss and I haven’t got my solely son, Jay.

Detective Scharf advised the group he was grateful for breakthroughs in DNA know-how.

DET. JIM SCHARF: If it hadn’t been for genetic family tree we would not be standing right here at the moment.

However would proof obtained by means of genetic family tree be allowed in courtroom?

FIRST TEST IN COURT

Greater than three many years had handed since these darkish November days in 1987 when Jay and Tanya have been discovered murdered.  Now, with William Talbott’s arrest, Tanya’s brother John Van Cuylenborg was lastly capable of face the person suspected of his sister’s homicide.

Erin Moriarty: And what did you suppose the primary time you noticed him?

John Van Cuylenborg:  Simply reviled. I imply, it is arduous to regulate your feelings.

Talbott pleaded not responsible to 2 counts of aggravated homicide and so in June of 2019 his trial started within the Snohomish County Superior Court docket.

CeCe Moore: It was the primary case ever to go to a jury trial the place the suspect had been recognized by means of investigative genetic family tree.

Though the Golden State Killer had been recognized first, Talbott’s trial can be earlier than his, and CeCe Moore was conscious about how a lot was driving on the result.

CeCe Moore: We did not know at that time how genetic family tree was going to be handled in courtroom as a result of there was no priority.

The prosecution hoped to make it a nonissue.

Matthew Baldock: I used to be going to reduce the publicity by sort of downplaying the significance of the genetic family tree, realizing full properly, that was the a part of the case that was maybe most intriguing to folks.

Chief legal deputy Matthew Baldock was the lead prosecutor on Talbott’s case. He approached the protection with a proposal: they’d stipulate to the jury that the DNA from Particular person A had come from William Talbott as an agreed upon truth.

Matthew Baldock: A lot to my shock, they agreed.

It was a serious victory for the prosecution. The usage of genetic family tree to find a suspect wouldn’t be contested in courtroom.

CeCe Moore: That was an enormous reduction … actually it was the very best end result.

Erin Moriarty: So, you admit that that’s William Talbott’s DNA. Am I right?

Jon Scott: You are right. That was a stipulation.

Talbott’s attorneys Jon Scott and Rachel Forde would argue there’s really an harmless rationalization for that DNA.

Rachel Forde: Each indication of the DNA discovered … from my shopper indicated consensual intercourse.

Sure, they admit that Talbott had intercourse with Tanya, however deny he raped or killed her, or Jay Cook dinner. They level out that Tanya and Jay have been lacking for a number of days earlier than their our bodies have been discovered, implying that the couple will need to have encountered their killer afterward. 

Erin Moriarty: Inform me what you suppose then occurred to Tanya and Jay? 

Rachel Forde: We do not know what occurred. … These children have been off to an journey. Whether or not they went to a bar, a restaurant, some form of membership to satisfy folks, I do not know. 

Talbott’s legal professionals say it is comprehensible that Talbott may not keep in mind assembly Tanya and even the place he was 30 years in the past, however it’s vital, they are saying, that investigators have been unable to hyperlink Talbott to the kind of gun that killed Tanya, the pack of cigarettes, or the supplies used to strangle Jay.

Erin Moriarty: So … William Talbott’s protection is principally that he had intercourse with Tanya after which in some way anyone else killed her?

Jon Scott: That is not William Talbott’s protection. William Talbott’s protection is that there’s inadequate proof to show him responsible past an inexpensive doubt.

However prosecutors say they do have enough proof: there’s Talbott’s DNA from Tanya’s physique and her pants, the truth that he had lived simply 7 miles from the place Jay’s physique was discovered, and the palm print on the van that police say was a match to Talbott. Then there are the zip ties — discovered in any respect 4 crime scenes.

Baldock says they show the connection between Jay’s homicide and Tanya’s, and the van.

Erin Moriarty: What do you imagine the zip ties have been used for?

Matthew Baldock: I imagine that Mr. Talbott had Jay and Tanya within the van for some time frame after he kidnapped or kidnapped them. And I imagine that he used the zip ties to restrain them.

As a part of his investigation, Detective Scharf had hoped to acquire a usable DNA profile from any of the zip ties.

Det. Jim Scharf: There had been a mix of DNA on one of many zip ties that was present in Jay’s van. They usually weren’t capable of discern who all of the profiles belonged to.

However mid-trial, forensic scientist Lisa Collins realized she may run that combination into a brand new software program program to see if they might discover a match—and, to her shock, she did.

Lisa Collins: Once I in contrast — William Talbott’s DNA profile to the combination obtained from the zip tie that was discovered within the sufferer’s van — he was included as a doable contributor.

However as a result of her discovery got here throughout trial, prosecutors felt it was too late to current to the jury, fearing it might delay the trial. Talbott elected to not take the stand, and his legal professionals have been hopeful the jury would agree there was not sufficient proof to show him responsible.

Of their closing arguments, the protection advised the jury police have been unreasonably centered on the DNA.

RACHEL FORDE: They by no means stopped to think about that maybe the one that left the DNA was not the assassin.

Legal professional Forde argued Det. Jim Scharf had tunnel imaginative and prescient.

Erin Moriarty: Is it in any respect doable that sure, that was William Talbott’s DNA … however he did not kill both of them?

Matthew Baldock: Is that doable? … Certain. Is it cheap? … No. … She was discovered with out her pants or underwear. … So, simply virtually talking is the declare that Mr. Talbott had consensual intercourse together with her after which she obtained dressed and the one that finally killed her undressed her?

Baldock says the one cheap principle is that Talbott had overpowered the couple with the plan of raping Tanya after which killed them each. 

MATTHEW BALDOCK: He had zip ties. He had gloves. He had a firearm. He had ammunition. 

After a two-week lengthy trial, the jury started to deliberate. However they did not come again that first day. Or the second …

John Van Cuylenborg: You understand that is actually going to be the second of fact.

A NEW ERA

On that third day of deliberations, the households of Jay Cook dinner and Tanya Van Cuylenborg lastly obtained information:  There was a verdict.

“We the jury discover the defendant William Earl Talbott II responsible of the crime of homicide.”

Responsible. William Talbott had been discovered responsible of the aggravated homicide of Tanya Van Cuylenborg, and responsible of the aggravated homicide of Jay Cook dinner.

John Van Cuylenborg: Simply to listen to them — hear the foreman of the jury say responsible was … surreal.

CeCe Moore wasn’t within the courtroom, however she later noticed video of Tanya’s brother John’s response.

CeCe Moore: It was as if I may see a bodily burden elevate off his shoulders. He had advised me how he had carried this burden — for years. You recognize, he was the one sibling. He was her older brother … And so, you realize, that was unbelievable to see. 

Chelsea Rustad had by no means spoken to both Jay or Tanya’s household. However with their blessing, she determined to attend Talbott’s sentencing—the place she first met John.

CHELSEA RUSTAD: John?

JOHN VAN CUYLENBORG: Chelsea?

CHELSEA RUSTAD: Pleasure to satisfy you.

JOHN VAN CUYLENBORG: Pleasure to satisfy you.

Chelsea Rustad: I used to be actually nervous … you realize, he regarded a bit of bit nervous as properly.

CHELSEA RUSTAD [hands John a bouquet]: I wished to present this on behalf of the Rustad household.

JOHN VAN CUYLENBORG: Wow, that is very considerate. Thanks for coming at the moment.

John Van Cuylenborg: She’s, successfully, a member of the family of the assassin. … so, I believe it was courageous of her to take that danger.

On the sentencing, Jay Cook dinner’s mom advised the decide concerning the grief she has carried all these years.

LEONA COOK: A few of us wished a shirt or a sweater. You put on them. You possibly can put them to your nostril and scent him. I nonetheless have that previous sweater in my dresser drawer. Thanks.

The sentence was obligatory: two life phrases in jail with out parole. 

JUDGE: The courtroom’s solely doable sentence for every rely is to impose a sentence of life with out the potential of launch.

Chelsea Rustad says her sympathy is for Jay and Tanya’s households, regardless of her genetic ties to Talbott.

Chelsea Rustad: His dad wasn’t there. His sisters weren’t there. He had a member of the family within the viewers, and I used to be there supporting the victims.

Rustad is proud that her DNA helped convey a killer to justice, however there are some who’ve considerations about this new frontier in police work. 

Andrea Roth: It is perhaps that you simply’re not the Golden State Killer. However it additionally is perhaps that you do not need regulation enforcement scrutinizing your total household.

Legislation professor Andrea Roth is head of the UC Berkeley Middle for Legislation and Know-how and says

one of many issues she sees is that the DNA used for genetic family tree could be very revealing.

Andrea Roth: That is DNA testing that tells you a large number about an individual’s very delicate info, their medical historical past … info … about familial traces that the households themselves do not even know.

Professor Roth does agree that in circumstances like this, genetic family tree could be an efficient device for the general public good. However she cautions that almost all states don’t have any restrictions on its use.

Andrea Roth: There’s the priority that the federal government may use your DNA for some motive aside from a legal investigation that it should not be utilizing it for: giving it to insurance coverage corporations or utilizing DNA to seek out out who was at a protest assembly. … We do not have proof proper now of the federal government doing that. However — these are — are causes that anyone would possibly need to take into consideration earlier than they determine to add their DNA.

Due to this lack of authorized oversight, Roth has deep reservations about sharing DNA on public family tree web sites. 

Erin Moriarty: Would you not add your DNA?

Andrea Roth: I might not.

However it could already be too late for Professor Roth or many different Individuals to really decide out.

Consultants estimate that at the moment greater than 90 % of white Individuals could be recognized utilizing genetic family tree, and that is as a result of, says CeCe Moore, these of European descent are properly represented on web sites like GEDmatch.

CeCe Moore: We now have sufficient DNA. We will determine virtually anybody of northwest European ancestry … even when it takes hours. Dozens of hours, a whole lot of hours, we’ll get there.

However on this case, after greater than 30 years with no strong leads, Moore was in a position to make use of Chelsea Rustad’s DNA to assist find a viable suspect in simply two hours. 

Erin Moriarty: Was this the quickest you have ever discovered a suspect?

CeCe Moore: It was. To today, three and a half years later, a whole lot of circumstances later, this was essentially the most easy case I’ve ever labored. And that’s superb.

Detective Scharf believes this case modified the face of chilly case investigations endlessly.

Det. Jim Scharf: Genetic family tree is the most effective device that is come round since DNA … You do not want a CODIS database … to get your match.

For Jay and Tanya’s households it means they lastly have some solutions and a measure of peace.

On Tanya’s grave, her dad and mom inscribed the ultimate line from a poem she wrote when she was 17: “There’s a place that I do know of … the place up above there flies a dove … and slowly because it turns to daybreak/she elements her wings after which she’s gone.“

John Van Cuylenborg: She was rising up and maturing and spreading her wings and getting her toes below her after which she was gone.

Erin Moriarty: You miss her nonetheless, do not you?

John Van Cuylenborg: Yeah, positively.

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Produced by Lisa Freed, Sarah Prior and Mary Ann Rotondi. Lauren Clark is the sector producer. Sara Ely Hulse and Charlotte Fuller are the event producers. Shaheen Tokhi and Addison Briley are the affiliate producers. Michael McHugh is the producer-editor. Atticus Brady and Michael Baluzy are the editors. Peter Schweitzer is the senior producer. Nancy Kramer is the chief story editor. Judy Tygard is the chief producer.