Executive Summary
- Carol and Richard Emineth were murdered in East Helena, Montana, in 1986.
- A suspect identified in the original investigation was acquitted in court.
- The Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office is applying new "touch DNA" technology to cold case evidence.
Authorities in Lewis and Clark County, Montana, have announced a renewed effort to solve the 1986 double homicide of Carol and Richard Emineth, utilizing advanced DNA forensic technology to re-examine evidence from the decades-old crime scene.
On January 19, 1986, the couple was fatally shot with a .22 caliber weapon during a suspected robbery at the Mini Basket Convenience Store in East Helena. According to historical reports cited by the Missoulian, investigators initially identified a 16-year-old suspect shortly after the incident. However, reporting from KTVH confirms that the individual was acquitted of the charges in June 1986, leaving the case unresolved for nearly 40 years.
During a recent press conference, the Lewis and Clark County Sheriff’s Office revealed that preserved evidence is being submitted for modern analysis. Sheriff Leo Dutton told KTVH Helena that the application of "touch DNA" technology offers a renewed opportunity to positively identify suspects who handled items at the scene, noting that investigators lacked such capabilities during the initial inquiry.
It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Investigative Outlook
The decision to apply modern forensic sciences to the Emineth case highlights a critical evolution in cold case methodology. By leveraging "touch DNA"—which requires only minute biological samples—investigators can now revisit physical evidence that was previously deemed inconclusive or untestable. This development serves as a significant step toward potential closure for the community and underscores the operational commitment of local law enforcement to resolve violent crimes regardless of the passage of time.
