This is one of the early news reports - it answers some of the questions we all have been asking.
By MARTIN GRIFFITH
Associated Press Writer
RENO, Nev. (AP) -- Police said Sunday a DNA link between the disappearance of a 19-year-old woman and the December sexual assault of a college student leads them to believe a sole attacker was responsible for both cases.
DNA taken from the scene where Brianna Denison was last seen Jan. 20 matches DNA gathered after the Dec. 16 sexual assault of a University of Nevada-Reno student who lived several blocks away, police commander Ron Holladay said.
Police believe a white male in his 30s is responsible for Denison's disappearance and the attack, Holladay said.
"Our chances of capturing the suspect are exponentially increased now because of the DNA," he said. "He probably lives in the area. It's still my hope that Brianna is alive, and we're expending every resource possible to get her back safely."
Holladay said the victim of the earlier attack was interviewed again after the DNA match was made and that a more detailed description of the suspect was developed.
That victim was abducted outside her home on Dec. 16, taken to another location and sexually assaulted, then brought home by her attacker, Holladay said. She also was the victim of a Jan. 19 attempted burglary at her home that may be connected to the attacker, Holladay said.
About the blood belonging to Brianna:
Crime lab technicians have determined a small stain on a pillow at the house where Denison vanished is the blood of Denison, a student at Santa Barbara (Calif.) City College, who was visiting her hometown over winter break.