DNA Links Man to Two Cold Case Murders in South Jersey

Francis Schooley died in 2000, but his DNA was found at both crime scenes

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:20pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered piece of glass reflecting a bright flash of light, conceptually representing the harsh realities of a cold case investigation.A forensic investigation uncovers long-buried clues that finally bring justice for two young victims of violent crime.Camden Today

DNA evidence has linked the same suspect, Francis Schooley, to two cold case murders from the 1990s in Camden County, New Jersey. Schooley, who died by suicide in 2000 at age 39, was connected to the 1993 murder of 24-year-old Marebeth Welsh in Camden and the 1994 murder of 16-year-old Jennifer Persia in Magnolia.

Why it matters

These long-unsolved murders have haunted the local community for decades, leaving the victims' families without closure. The DNA match provides some answers, but also raises questions about how Schooley evaded detection for so long and whether there are other victims linked to him.

The details

Police said the killings back then weren't thought to be connected, but DNA evidence collected from both crime scenes matched Schooley. Since Schooley was deceased, investigators had to use genealogy and collect samples from his family to make the DNA matches. Detective Dennis Convery spent 10 years chasing down leads in the case.

  • Marebeth Welsh was murdered in 1993.
  • Jennifer Persia was murdered in April 1994.
  • Francis Schooley died by suicide in 2000 at age 39.

The players

Francis Schooley

A man whose DNA was linked to two cold case murders in the 1990s in Camden County, New Jersey. Schooley died by suicide in 2000 at the age of 39.

Marebeth Welsh

A 24-year-old woman who was murdered in Camden, New Jersey in 1993.

Jennifer Persia

A 16-year-old girl who was stabbed to death at her parents' home in Magnolia, New Jersey in 1994.

Grace MacAulay

The Camden County Prosecutor who announced the DNA evidence linking Schooley to the two cold case murders.

Dennis Convery

The detective who spent 10 years chasing down leads in the case.

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What they’re saying

“These two young women never had the chance to tell their own story. Their lives were taken from them far too soon by the hands of a suspect who went unnamed for 30 years.”

— Grace MacAulay, Camden County Prosecutor

“It touches me.”

— Dennis Convery, Detective

“Couldn't believe it. We never expected to hear anything.”

— Daniel Welsh, Marebeth Welsh's former husband

“There is some closure, I guess is the best word for it. In terms of how I feel, I'm not sure how to answer that.”

— Melody Welsh, Marebeth Welsh's daughter

What’s next

Since Schooley is deceased, there will be no further legal proceedings. The Camden County Prosecutor's Office is focused on providing closure and support to the victims' families.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of advancements in DNA technology and forensic science in solving long-cold cases. It also underscores the lasting trauma experienced by victims' families when murders go unsolved for decades. The community hopes this development will provide some measure of peace, even if full closure remains elusive.