Executive Summary
- Columbus Police identified Charles William Elliott as the suspect in the 1980 murders of Lynn Vest and Jeremy Pickens.
- Investigators utilized advanced DNA analysis of a rootless hair and genetic genealogy to solve the case.
- Elliott, who died in prison 30 years ago, was also linked to armed jewelry robberies in Wilmington, Ohio.
- Authorities are seeking information on potential accomplices seen following the victims in 1980.
Columbus Police have solved a 45-year-old double homicide case through the application of advanced DNA technology, identifying a deceased career criminal as the primary suspect in the 1980 murders of a woman and her toddler nephew. According to the Columbus Police Department, Charles William Elliott has been linked to the deaths of 23-year-old Lynn Vest and 2-year-old Jeremy Pickens, whose bodies were discovered in the trunk of a vehicle on November 13, 1980.
The victims disappeared on November 12 while running errands in Columbus. Investigators located their remains the following morning at the intersection of Main and Berkeley streets. For decades, the case remained unsolved despite numerous leads. A significant development occurred in 2010 when the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation developed a DNA profile from evidence, though no match was found in databases at that time.
In 2025, authorities partnered with Astrea Forensics to utilize cutting-edge techniques on a rootless hair recovered from the crime scene. CPD Investigative Genetic Genealogist Amanda Reno stated that the resulting profile pointed to Elliott on October 6, 2025. To definitively confirm the findings, investigators disinterred Elliott’s remains from Evergreen Cemetery in November 2025. Columbus Police Sgt. Terry McConnell confirmed that DNA collected from the remains matched the evidence found on Vest.
The identification of Elliott has also shed light on a series of violent crimes in Wilmington, Ohio. Wilmington Mayor Pat Haley, who served as the Clinton County Sheriff at the time, reported that Elliott was responsible for armed robberies at Hiatt Jewelry Store and Miller and Turner Jewelry in December 1980. During the robbery at Miller and Turner, Elliott reportedly brandished a revolver and stole approximately $200,000 in merchandise.
Elliott, who had a criminal history including armed robbery in Kentucky and rape in Tennessee, died 30 years ago while incarcerated. Despite the identification of the primary suspect, the investigation remains active regarding potential co-conspirators. Police stated that eyewitness accounts from 1980 described two men in a white car following the victim’s vehicle.
Investigative Outlook
The resolution of this case underscores the pivotal role of genetic genealogy in clearing cold case backlogs, providing answers long after traditional investigative avenues have been exhausted. While the primary suspect is deceased, the Columbus Police Homicide Division continues to seek information regarding the unidentified individuals seen following the victims, highlighting that the closure of the main case does not preclude the pursuit of accomplices. It is important to note that any potential surviving associates or individuals named in ongoing investigations are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
