Genetic genealogy and a partial DNA profile extracted from a 1973 crime scene have solved the murders of teenagers Marguerite and Mary Jenkins, according to the Florida Sheriff’s Association. Investigators confirmed on September 2, 2026, that David Allen Snyder killed the two sisters during their spring break trip to Florida, closing a case that spanned more than five decades.
The 1973 Spring Break Trip That Ended in Tragedy
In April 1973, 18-year-old Marguerite (Maggie) Jenkins and her 16-year-old sister Mary left New Jersey for a spring break vacation in the Florida Keys, according to the Florida Sheriff’s Association. Though their father sent money for bus tickets home, the sisters chose to hitchhike back north.
On May 2, 1973, witnesses saw the pair hitchhiking on Stock Island. The following day, a local resident discovered their bodies in a wooded area near the highway in Key Largo, nearly 16 miles north. Police stated that both victims had been severely beaten and shot.
Decades of Silence and a Partial DNA Breakthrough
Investigators identified no suspects at the time, leaving the double homicide unsolved for decades. The case shifted in 2018 when forensics teams successfully extracted a partial male DNA profile from a bloodstain on one victim’s underwear, according to NBC Miami.
The critical break arrived in 2023. Investigators employed genetic genealogy and commercial DNA databases, which pointed toward David Allen Snyder. Records show Snyder lived in Key West between 1972 and 1974 and was 22 years old when the killings occurred.
Did you know? Investigative genetic genealogy combines traditional genealogical research with DNA profiles to find distant relatives, allowing law enforcement to build family trees and identify suspects in decades-old cold cases.
Confirmation Through Family DNA Testing
Because Snyder died a natural death in Idaho in October 2008 at age 57, direct interrogation was impossible, and initial identification remained unconfirmed. It took until 2026 for law enforcement to secure definitive proof.
Authorities obtained a DNA sample from one of Snyder’s living relatives. On September 2, 2026, test results verified that Snyder was the perpetrator behind the 1973 murders.
Florida Sheriff Rick Ramsey stated to news channel Local 10 that the resolution brings renewed hope for solving other historic cold cases. “This case shows how important our commitment to solving crimes regardless of how long it takes,” Ramsey said.
Family Remembers the Victims Beyond the Tragedy
Sarah Jenkins Barlow was 19 years old when her sisters were killed. She recalled the moment three investigators arrived at her home to deliver the news to Local 10 News.
“It was shocking, because I never expected that it would be solved,” Barlow told the channel. She emphasized the importance of remembering her sisters as individuals rather than victims.
“Maggie was strong and was an adventurer,” Barlow said, noting that her 18-year-old sister loved horses and dreamed of owning a ranch. She described Mary, who was only 16 when she died, as a sweet, innocent girl with a “fantastic singing voice.”
Reflecting on the family’s shared sense of adventure, Barlow shared a message of resilience. “You must not stop living because of a tragedy like this,” she told Local 10. “It is not how you honor their memory.”
Frequently Asked Questions
How did investigators identify David Allen Snyder?
Investigators used a partial DNA profile obtained from a bloodstain on the victims’ clothing in 2018, combined with genetic genealogy databases, which led them to Snyder’s family.
Is David Allen Snyder still alive?
No. Snyder died of natural causes in Idaho in October 2008 at the age of 57.
When was the DNA match officially confirmed?
Law enforcement confirmed the match on September 2, 2026, after testing a DNA sample from one of Snyder’s relatives.
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