Man arrested in 40-year-old rape and murder case after forensic genealogy investigation

A man was arrested in Connecticut this week after officials in Virginia say new evidence links him to the murder and rape of a woman 40 years ago.

Roberta Walls was 22 years old when she was raped and murdered in Virginia Beach on May 15, 1986, according to the Virginia Beach Police Department. A preliminary investigation at the time showed she had been stabbed multiple times in addition to being sexually assaulted.

Police have worked tirelessly over the years attempting to find the person responsible for Walls’ murder, but have continually hit dead ends.

That changed Wednesday, when officials announced the arrest of Charles Randell Berry in connection with the case.

Police were led to Berry by a forensic genealogy investigation that was possible thanks to a grant from the Virginia Sexual Assault Kit Initiative. The investigation was based on a DNA profile developed in 2001 by the Virginia Department of Forensic Science.

Detectives were able to obtain Berry’s DNA through a search warrant.

“The cold case squad continued to pursue the investigation into Berry’s involvement and ultimately presented the case to the office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for consideration of charges,” Capt. Michelle Wyatt told reporters Wednesday.

Prior to Berry being identified, police said they eliminated more than 30 suspects through DNA testing.

Berry had no known ties to Walls, but had been stationed in Virginia Beach at the time of her murder while he was in the Navy. Personnel records were not immediately available for Berry, as the U.S. Navy told NBC News that it does not maintain service records prior to 1990.

Court records show Berry was charged in Virginia with rape and capital murder in connection with the May 1986 case. He was arrested in Connecticut, where he is being detained pending extradition.

Berry’s attorney, Robert Lacobelle, told NBC News that they have not received a warrant or affidavit detailing the allegations in the case. The attorney said he personally spoke to Virginia investigators about two years ago when they requested to speak with Berry, but he did not have any additional details.

“We are kind of in the dark on this at this time,” Lacobelle said.

If an extradition is granted by the state of Connecticut, Berry will be transferred to Virginia to begin the court process on the murder and rape charges. A plea of guilty or not guilty would be entered at that time.

Berry does not seem to have any connection to other crimes at this time, according to Virginia Beach Police Chief Paul Neudigate.

“I think that’s what the community wonders, that’s what everyone here wants to know,” Neudigate said. “Someone that brutally murders and rapes someone, how is that a one-time occurrence? But as of this time, we have no indication that he was involved in other crimes.”

Deputy Police Chief Jeffrey Wilkerson described this week’s arrest as a testament to the department’s dedication to Walls and her memory.

“Known to those and her friends as Bobby, Roberta Walls was a loving daughter, a big sister, a friend to those who knew her, and someone that could be counted on in her circle of friends,” Wilkerson said. “We are very grateful for the dedicated professionals who have worked on this case over the years.”

Walls’ family did not wish to make any statements and requested privacy “as they continue to process these deeply emotional and traumatic events,” Wyatt told reporters.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com