Published January 19 2016
The Bellevue Police Department has assigned a detective to take a fresh look at several "cold cases," including seven open or unsolved homicides and 10 long-term missing person cases. The department has had success in recent years solving cold cases with the advancement of investigative techniques and technology such as DNA identification.
In 2013, a suspect was identified and charged with murder after a DNA hit on critical evidence that was found at the scene of the 1980 killing of 19-year-old Susan Barbara Lowe. The case went cold after all investigative leads were exhausted in the early 1980s, however after new evidence was discovered in 2012, detectives were able to identify the suspect and bring closure to the victim's family.
Major Pat Spak, commander of the poice investigations section, stated: "I believe it is a high priority to review and evaluate these cases. The department owes these victims a fresh look, especially when considering the advancement in our investigative capabilities."
The detective selected for this assignment has over 39 years of law enforcement experience, and began this temporary assignment Monday.