Executive Summary
- Elmira Police have solved the 1964 murder of 12-year-old Mary Theresa Simpson.
- Investigators used advanced DNA testing on a minute sample to build a genetic profile in late 2024.
- Alfred Murray was identified as the suspect through genetic genealogy databases.
- Murray died in 2004, preventing a criminal trial, but the case is now officially closed.
ELMIRA, N.Y. — The Elmira Police Department has officially announced the resolution of one of the region’s oldest unsolved homicides, identifying a suspect in the 1964 murder of 12-year-old Mary Theresa Simpson. Authorities credit the breakthrough to advancements in forensic science that allowed for the analysis of microscopic evidence preserved for more than six decades.
According to police reports, Simpson was killed in March 1964, sparking an investigation that spanned generations of detectives. Despite years of inquiries and the eventual retirement of the original investigators, the physical evidence was carefully maintained. In late 2024, the department revisited the case, forming partnerships with the FBI, Russell Sage College, and other agencies to utilize updated forensic tools.
Investigators revealed that the critical lead was developed from a DNA sample described as “essentially invisible to the naked eye.” Despite the minute quantity of biological material, forensic scientists successfully constructed a genetic profile. This profile was subsequently compared against public genealogy databases, a process that enabled authorities to trace family connections and narrow the field of potential suspects.
Through this genetic genealogy analysis, police identified Alfred Murray as the individual responsible for Simpson’s death. Officials confirmed that Murray passed away in 2004. Consequently, there will be no criminal trial or prosecution in this matter. Police stated that while a courtroom verdict is impossible, the identification provides official closure to a case that has impacted the community and the victim’s family for over 60 years.
Forensic Capability and Case Closure
The resolution of the Mary Theresa Simpson investigation highlights the rapidly expanding capabilities of genetic genealogy in law enforcement. By successfully extracting actionable intelligence from trace evidence decades old, this case establishes a significant precedent for the viability of reviewing cold cases once deemed unsolvable. The outcome demonstrates that while the death of a suspect precludes legal adjudication, modern forensic application can still provide definitive answers regarding historical crimes, offering a measure of finality to surviving relatives and the broader community.
It is important to note that while investigators have identified Alfred Murray as the responsible party, he was never convicted in a court of law, and under the U.S. justice system, all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
