Florida

DNA Leads to Arrest of Suspect in 1984 Killing of Navy Recruit in Florida

Thomas Garner was arrested at his home in Jacksonville for the 1984 slaying of Pamela Cahanes

Authorities in Florida say they have used DNA to track down and arrest a suspect in the 3-decade-old slaying of a Navy recruit.

Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma said Thursday that 59-year-old Thomas Garner was arrested at his home in Jacksonville, Florida, for the 1984 slaying of Pamela Cahanes.

The sheriff says the two were classmates at the Orlando Naval Training Center.

Cahanes was found beaten and strangled in Sanford, a city near Orlando, in August 1984.

Lemma says detectives used genetic genealogical research to develop a DNA family tree that led to Garner, who was arrested Wednesday.

Garner has been charged with first-degree murder. Online court records showed no attorney listed for him and he was given no bond.

Copyright The Associated Press
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