More than four decades after a teenager was murdered in California, DNA found on a discarded cigarette has helped authorities catch her killer.
A Cold Case Solved
Sarah Geer, 13, was last seen leaving her friend’s house in Cloverdale, California, on the evening of May 23, 1982. The next morning, a firefighter walking home from function found her body, the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office said in a news release. She had been dragged down an alley to a secluded area near an apartment building and behind a fence, where she was raped and strangled, according to authorities.
Her death was ruled a homicide, but due to the “limited forensic science of the day,” no suspect was identified and the case went cold for decades, prosecutors said. A break in the case first came in 2003, when investigators developed a DNA profile based on sperm collected from Sarah’s underwear, prosecutors said. However, the profile did not match anyone in law enforcement databases at the time, and the investigation stalled.
In 2021, the Cloverdale Police Department reopened the investigation, partnering with a private firm to revisit the evidence using new technology. The investigation also enlisted the FBI to help identify a potential match to the 2003 DNA profile. The FBI determined the DNA evidence collected from Sarah belonged to one of four brothers, including James Unick.
Investigators then conducted surveillance of James Unick and collected a discarded cigarette he had been smoking. A DNA analysis confirmed his DNA matched the 2003 profile, as well as other DNA samples collected from Sarah’s clothing. This breakthrough was made possible by the emerging field of genetic genealogy, which combines DNA analysis and family tree research.
Police arrested Unick in July 2024 at his home in Willows, California. During the monthlong trial, Unick testified that Sarah “propositioned him for sex while he had been playing a video game” and that they had engaged in consensual sex. Prosecutors said Unick also implied Sarah had been assaulted and killed by someone else later that night. Jurors heard testimony from friends of Sarah who had spent time with her the weekend of her death.
Following two hours of deliberations, the jury convicted Unick of murder, prosecutors said. He is scheduled to be sentenced on April 23. District Attorney Carla Rodriguez stated, “This guilty verdict is a testament to everyone who never gave up searching for Sarah’s killer. While 44 years is too long to wait, justice has finally been served, both to Sarah’s loved ones as well as her community.”
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Sarah Geer die?
Sarah Geer died on May 23, 1982, after being attacked in Cloverdale, California.
How was James Unick identified as a suspect?
Investigators used genetic genealogy to narrow down potential suspects to four brothers, including James Unick. They then collected a discarded cigarette from Unick and confirmed his DNA matched DNA found at the crime scene.
What is the status of James Unick’s case?
James Unick has been convicted of murder and is scheduled to be sentenced on April 23.
As James Unick awaits sentencing, will this case encourage renewed investigation into other cold cases utilizing advancements in DNA technology?
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