Executive Summary
- The Vegas Justice League was founded in 2020 to fund DNA testing for cold cases.
- The nonprofit partners with Othram Laboratory to utilize advanced genome sequencing.
- Funding has helped solve nine local cases, including the 1989 murder of Stephanie Isaacson.
- An anonymous donor contributed $1 million to support the "Project Justice" initiative.
The Vegas Justice League, a nonprofit organization established in 2020 by technology entrepreneur Justin Woo and Lydia Ansel, is providing critical financial resources to law enforcement agencies to facilitate advanced DNA testing for unsolved homicide investigations. The organization aims to bridge budgetary gaps that often delay the processing of forensic evidence in cold cases.
According to statements from the founders, the nonprofit collaborates with Othram Laboratory in Texas, a facility specializing in forensic-grade genome sequencing. The initiative, known as "Project Justice," has reportedly assisted in solving nine cases within the Las Vegas area and approximately 50 cases nationwide. The operational cost for each case submitted to Othram is estimated at $7,500, a sum covered by the organization through donations and internal contributions.
One prominent case cited by the organization involves the 1989 disappearance and murder of 14-year-old Stephanie Isaacson. In 2021, utilizing funding provided by the Vegas Justice League, investigators were able to employ advanced DNA testing to link the crime to Darren Roy Marchant. Marchant, who had been implicated in the investigation, committed suicide in 1995. The nonprofit recently secured a $1 million anonymous donation to further its mission of addressing unsolved missing children cases and homicides.
Investigative Outlook
The collaboration between private philanthropic entities and law enforcement represents a significant shift in the resource management of cold case units. By subsidizing the high costs associated with private forensic genealogy, groups like the Vegas Justice League allow agencies to bypass traditional fiscal constraints that often stall investigations into historical crimes. This public-private partnership model highlights the increasing reliance on third-party technological advancements to resolve decades-old inquiries. It is important to note that while forensic evidence can identify suspects, all individuals formally accused in connection with these investigations are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
