Fri. Jan 3rd, 2025
alert-–-cold-case-murder-of-teen-girl,-18,-is-finally-solved-after-more-than-four-decades-thanks-to-dna-breakthrough-…but-cops-reveal-a-twistAlert – Cold case murder of teen girl, 18, is finally solved after more than four decades thanks to DNA breakthrough …but cops reveal a twist

After more than four decades of mystery, Ohio investigators have announced that a cold case homicide of a teenage girl is now solved – but a shocking twist means the suspected killer will not face prosecution.

In 1981, Debra Lee Miller was found dead aged 18 her downtown Mansfield apartment. 

Police say the teenager was brutally beaten to death, with stains and items around her body indicating she had been savagely attacked.   

Though investigators spoke with a number of potential witnesses, including James Vanest, 68, a man who lived upstairs in the building, no suspects were identified, and the case went cold.

For years, the case remained unsolved, despite multiple reinvestigations. 

But in 2021, as advancements in forensic technology emerged, detectives revisited the case. 

They worked closely with DNA experts and reexamined evidence that had been previously overlooked. 

With a fresh approach to the case, investigators were led them back to Vanest, who had moved to Canton years earlier. 

In 1981, Debra Lee Miller (pictured) was found dead aged 18 her downtown Mansfield apartment.

In 1981, Debra Lee Miller (pictured) was found dead aged 18 her downtown Mansfield apartment.

Investigators spoke with a number of potential witnesses, including James Vanest, a man who lived upstairs in the building (pictured) - no suspects were identified, and the case went cold

Investigators spoke with a number of potential witnesses, including James Vanest, a man who lived upstairs in the building (pictured) – no suspects were identified, and the case went cold

Detective Terry Butler, who had re-opened the case, recalled his interactions with Vanest in 2021, citing that he was ‘cagey’ and clearly attempting to establish an alibi. 

However, Vanest admitted to being with Miller before her death – and revealed they had sex after meeting in a bar. 

Butler told ABC 6 News: ‘Early morning of April 29th, coming back from a bar, he’s saying that she invited them in. They had consensual sex.’

Vanest’s story, however, did little to clear him as a suspect, and DNA evidence later confirmed his involvement in the crime. 

Further attempts to question Vanest, including one in June of this year, proved unfruitful. 

When detectives confronted him, he refused to cooperate and demanded a lawyer. 

With a fresh approach to the case, investigators were led them back to James Vanest (pictured) who had moved to Canton years earlier

With a fresh approach to the case, investigators were led them back to James Vanest (pictured) who had moved to Canton years earlier

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Shortly after, Vanest sold his property in Canton and relocated to West Virginia, where he later was arrested after facing firearms charges. 

Vanest fled, returning to Canton, where U.S. Marshals attempted to serve him with a federal firearms warrant at a motel in November. 

What followed was a tense standoff that escalated into violence when Vanest barricaded himself inside. 

In an unexpected twist, a shootout ensued, leaving one officer injured and Vanest shot dead by law enforcement.   

Investigators said the DNA evidence was overwhelming, and now consider the case closed.

The Richland County prosecutor said her office was preparing to take the case to the grand jury at the time of the shooting. 

It comes as a bombshell documentary has revealed how six men who were wrongfully convicted of murder were eventually exonerated.

The injustice first came to light in 2002 when veteran Bronx homicide detective Bobby Addolorato told Dateline NBC Investigative Producer Dan Slepian there was one murder case that had haunted him for more than a decade.

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