Salt Lake City Police Solve 40-Year-Old Murder Using DNA

Salt Lake City police have solved the 40-year-old cold case murder of 18-year-old Christine Gallegos, who was beaten, sexually assaulted, stabbed, and shot in 1985. Using advanced DNA testing and investigative genetic genealogy at Othram Labs, investigators identified Ricky Lee Stallworth, a 27-year-old airman stationed at Hill Air Force Base at the time, as the likely suspect. Stallworth, who died of natural causes in 2023 before he could be questioned, was confirmed through a DNA match with a relative. Police said there was no clear connection between Gallegos and Stallworth, and his name never surfaced during the original investigation. Authorities expressed hope that identifying Stallworth brings some measure of justice and closure to Gallegos’ family, while acknowledging that charges cannot be filed posthumously. The resolution of this case highlights the evolving role of DNA technology in solving decades-old crimes.