DNA Evidence Leads to Arrest in 2003 Oklahoma City Homicide

Cold case solved after DNA sample entered into CODIS database in 2025

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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The Oklahoma City Police Department has announced an arrest in a homicide case from 2003. According to OKCPD, police officers responded to a stabbing report on June 15, 2003, and found a victim who had been fatally stabbed. The case went cold for over 20 years until a DNA sample entered into the CODIS database in 2025 led to a suspect being identified and arrested.

Why it matters

This case highlights the importance of maintaining comprehensive DNA databases like CODIS, which can help solve even decades-old cold cases by making connections between crime scenes and potential suspects. It also demonstrates the persistence of law enforcement in pursuing justice for victims, even in cases that go unsolved for many years.

The details

The victim was found fatally stabbed on June 15, 2003, in Oklahoma City. The case went unsolved for over 20 years until a DNA sample collected at the crime scene was entered into the CODIS database in 2025. This DNA match led police to identify and arrest a suspect in the 2003 homicide.

  • The victim was found fatally stabbed on June 15, 2003.
  • The DNA sample was entered into the CODIS database in 2025.
  • The suspect was arrested in 2026 based on the CODIS match.

The players

Oklahoma City Police Department

The local law enforcement agency that investigated the 2003 homicide and made the recent arrest based on the CODIS DNA match.

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What’s next

The suspect will be arraigned and face trial for the 2003 homicide charges.

The takeaway

This case demonstrates the power of DNA evidence and comprehensive databases like CODIS to help solve even decades-old cold cases, providing closure for victims' families and holding perpetrators accountable no matter how much time has passed.