Executive Summary
- Lashay Durisseau, 56, was arrested in Richmond, Texas, linked to seven sexual assaults and kidnappings between 1994 and 2008.
- Investigators utilized familial DNA technology and untested rape kit processing to connect the suspect to crimes in California and Texas.
- The multi-agency operation was led by the Berkeley Police Department with assistance from the FBI and the Texas Department of Public Safety.
Authorities have arrested a 56-year-old Texas man in connection with a series of kidnappings and sexual assaults involving seven victims across California and Texas spanning a 14-year period, according to the Berkeley Police Department. The arrest marks a significant breakthrough in a cold case investigation facilitated by advancements in familial DNA testing.
According to a press release issued by the Berkeley Police Department (BPD), officers arrested Lashay Durisseau on Tuesday in Richmond, Texas. The operation was conducted in coordination with a tactical Houston-based FBI Task Force and the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office. Officials stated that Durisseau is linked to crimes committed between 1994 and 2008 in four jurisdictions: Berkeley, Richmond, and Oakland in California, and Beaumont, Texas.
Police reports indicate that in the majority of the incidents, the suspect physically assaulted the victims or threatened them with a firearm. The investigation gained renewed momentum in 2015 when Berkeley police utilized a grant from the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office to process untested rape kits. BPD noted that evidence from a 2002 Berkeley Marina case resulted in a case-to-case DNA match linking five additional files.
In 2022, the California Department of Justice provided forensic support through a familial DNA search, a technique designed to identify potential relatives of an alleged perpetrator within DNA databases. Following this lead, the FBI reportedly secured Durisseau’s DNA for comparison, resulting in an arrest warrant issued on December 2, 2025. BPD detectives traveled to Texas this week to effect the arrest.
Forensic Advancement & Legal Procedures
This development underscores the evolving role of forensic genealogy and familial DNA searching as a critical asset for law enforcement in resolving complex cold cases. Similar to the high-profile Golden State Killer investigation, this methodology allows investigators to leverage biological databases to generate leads where traditional matches fail. As the case moves into the judicial phase, Durisseau remains in custody in Texas awaiting extradition proceedings. It is important to note that all individuals, including Lashay Durisseau, are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
