Texas police solve 1981 murder of Yolanda Herrera using genetic genealogy
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Texas authorities identified 68-year-old Kelly Lee Brower as the suspect in the 1981 murder of 23-year-old Yolanda Herrera. Brower confessed after being questioned in Cottonwood, Arizona, and is expected to be transferred to Texas to face trial.
Key Facts
- Yolanda Herrera, 23, was last seen leaving a bar in Universal City, Texas, on the evening of April 11, 1981.
- Her body was found two days later by two children in a field near the city; she had been beaten and sexually assaulted.
- In 2021, forensic specialists created a DNA profile of the suspect, but no matches were found in existing databases.
- In 2025, the profile was sent to Othram laboratory, which used genetic genealogy to identify Kelly Lee Brower, 68, as the suspect.
- Brower lived in Universal City at the time of the murder and later moved to Cottonwood, Arizona, where he was questioned and confessed.
The 1981 Murder
Yolanda Herrera, 23, was last seen leaving a bar in Universal City, Texas, on the evening of April 11, 1981. Two days later, two children found her body in a field near the city. An investigation determined she had been beaten and sexually assaulted. Biological samples collected at the crime scene allowed specialists to obtain the perpetrator's DNA, but his identity remained unknown for decades.
Genetic Genealogy Breakthrough
In 2021, forensic specialists created a DNA profile of the suspect, but no matches were found in existing databases. Four years later, the profile was sent to Othram laboratory, whose specialists applied genetic genealogy methods. The investigation identified 68-year-old Kelly Lee Brower as the suspect. Brower lived in Universal City at the time of the murder and later moved to Cottonwood, Arizona.
Confession and Extradition
Brower was questioned in Cottonwood, Arizona, and confessed to the crime. He is expected to be transferred to Texas to face trial.
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Texas police solve 1981 murder of Yolanda Herrera using genetic genealogy
