Decades-Old Camden County Killings Solved Through DNA Advances

Prosecutors say two unsolved homicides from the 1990s have been cleared using genetic genealogy.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 11:24am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

An extreme close-up photograph of a shattered glass shard reflecting a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the forensic investigation that solved these decades-old crimes.Decades-old DNA evidence finally cracks two unsolved Camden County murder cases, offering closure to victims' families.Camden Today

Authorities in Camden County, New Jersey have solved two long-unsolved homicide cases from the 1990s using breakthroughs in DNA technology. Investigators determined that Francis T. Schooley, who died in 2000 at age 39, was responsible for the killings of 24-year-old Marebeth Welsh and 16-year-old Jennifer Persia. The cases were reopened in 2024 when the prosecutor's office established a Cold Case Homicide Unit, and advanced DNA testing and genetic genealogy analysis linked Schooley to both crime scenes.

Why it matters

The identification of Schooley as the perpetrator brings long-awaited answers and closure to the victims' families and communities that have carried the weight of these unsolved cases for decades. It also highlights the importance of continued efforts to solve cold cases using modern forensic tools, even when the crimes occurred many years ago.

The details

In November 1993, Marebeth Welsh was found dead on a Camden sidewalk after being strangled and sexually assaulted. Months later, in April 1994, Jennifer Persia was discovered inside a Magnolia home with multiple stab wounds and evidence of strangulation. Despite early investigative efforts, both cases remained unsolved for decades due to the lack of DNA matches at the time. The cases were reopened in 2024 when the Camden County Prosecutor's Office established a Cold Case Homicide Unit, and detectives resubmitted key evidence for advanced DNA testing, which revealed the same unknown male profile linked to both crime scenes. Through genetic genealogy and kinship analysis involving Schooley's relatives, investigators were able to confirm his identity as the source of the DNA, which was millions of times more likely to belong to a member of his family than an unrelated individual.

  • In November 1993, Marebeth Welsh was found dead on a Camden sidewalk.
  • In April 1994, Jennifer Persia was discovered inside a Magnolia home.
  • Francis T. Schooley died in 2000 at the age of 39.

The players

Francis T. Schooley

A Mantua Township resident who was determined to be responsible for the killings of Marebeth Welsh and Jennifer Persia, though he died in 2000 at the age of 39.

Marebeth Welsh

A 24-year-old woman from Woodlynne who was found strangled and sexually assaulted on a Camden sidewalk in 1993.

Jennifer Persia

A 16-year-old girl from Magnolia who was found dead inside a home with multiple stab wounds and evidence of strangulation in 1994.

Grace C. MacAulay

The Camden County Prosecutor who said the identification of Schooley brings long-awaited answers to the victims' families.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The identification brings long-awaited answers to the victims' families, crediting both advancements in forensic science and the persistence of investigators who continued working the cases over the years.”

— Grace C. MacAulay, Camden County Prosecutor

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of continued efforts to solve cold cases using modern forensic tools, even decades after the crimes occurred. The identification of the perpetrator, despite his death, provides closure to the victims' families and communities that have carried the weight of these unsolved cases for many years.