Oregon Man Charged in 1981 Indiana Murder

Gregory Thurson, a 64-year-old man from Oregon, has been arrested and charged with the 1981 murder of John Blaylock in Griffith, Indiana, thanks to advanced DNA technology. Blaylock, 51, was discovered beaten to death in his apartment, and the case remained unsolved for over four decades until Detective John Mowery Jr. and his retired father reopened the investigation in 2018. Utilizing blood samples from the crime scene, the detectives developed a DNA profile that ultimately led to a familial match through a private genetic genealogy service. One of Thurson's brothers, who discarded a cigarette during a traffic stop, was initially investigated, leading authorities to identify Thurson as the prime suspect. He was arrested in Eugene, Oregon, and is currently held in Lake County Jail. This case highlights the critical role of modern forensic science in solving cold cases.