NV NV - Stephanie Isaacson, 14, murdered, unsolved for 32 years, June 1, 1989

LadyL

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  • #1
The morning of June 1, 1989, was fairly normal for Stephanie Isaacson. The 14-year-old woke up, got dressed, packed her school bag and set out at about 6:30 a.m. for a walk to her Las Vegas high school, taking her usual shortcut through an empty sandlot.

But she never made it beyond her detour.

For 32 years, the case remained cold, despite failed attempts at matching the DNA found on Isaacson’s shirt. That is, until nine months ago, when a Texas lab offered to process a cold case with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department using new technology. The test would be free, thanks to a donation from an anonymous benefactor.

Police identified the killer as Darren R. Marchand. But there would be no arrest — Marchand died by suicide in 1995 at 29 years old.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nati...uukncuXUedrcSjqQhGFPXK6JVXNbFoJbEKVqa8xMvje9M
 
  • #2
In 1998, the department’s forensic laboratory attempted to test the evidence for DNA using now-obsolete technology. It was unsuccessful, according to Kim Murga, the lab’s director. It tried again in 2007 and successfully obtained a DNA profile from semen found on Isaacson’s shirt. The team uploaded the DNA profile into an FBI database but never received a match.

This past November, Othram, a genome-sequencing lab specializing in assisting with cold cases, reached out to Murga’s team and offered its services using its new technology. Someone had donated money to the lab specifically to help solve one cold case with the LVMPD.

Marchand had a criminal history in the Las Vegas area, Spencer said. He was arrested in 1986 at the age of 20 and charged with fatally strangling 24-year-old Nanette Vanderburg in her home. The case was ultimately dismissed for lack of evidence. Marchand killed himself nine years later.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nati...uukncuXUedrcSjqQhGFPXK6JVXNbFoJbEKVqa8xMvje9M
 
  • #3
This past November, Othram, a genome-sequencing lab specializing in assisting with cold cases, reached out to Murga’s team and offered its services using its new technology. Someone had donated money to the lab specifically to help solve one cold case with the LVMPD.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/nati...uukncuXUedrcSjqQhGFPXK6JVXNbFoJbEKVqa8xMvje9M
Thank goodness for Othram! It’s too bad justice was not possible, but I’m glad the murderer was identified. Thank you for posting.
 
  • #4
Thank goodness for Othram! It’s too bad justice was not possible, but I’m glad the murderer was identified. Thank you for posting.

Othram is amazing!
 
  • #5
Photo released of suspect in 32-year-old cold case murder of teen | KLAS

"A police booking photo from 1986 shows murder suspect Darren Marchand, the man who was recently identified as the suspect in the 1989 murder case of Las Vegas teenager Stephanie Isaacson.

The photo was taken when Marchand was arrested as a suspect in another murder. The victim was 24-year-old Nanette Vanderburg. Las Vegas police said the case was eventually dismissed because there wasn’t enough evidence against Marchand."

E7-ZR2-ROVUAYyht0.jpg
 
  • #6
  • #7
Thanks, @othram and @LadyL.

Reporting my post -- NE is the abbreviation for Nebraska, NV for Nevada.

Yes, I am indeed The Grammar Police.

jmho ymmv lrr
 
  • #8
  • #9
  • #10
th


Stephanie Isaacson, age 14
Murdered 1 June 1989
 
  • #11
Last edited:

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