All rights reserved. "He seemed like a good guy," Neal's landlord, Michael Thulson,. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Scott Schwebke is an investigative reporter for the Orange County Register and the Southern California News Group. Her body was found the next day -- but decades went by without an arrest. The DNA researcher Moore has been on the forefront of linking cold cases to suspects through genetic material voluntarily offered by Americans doing ancestry research. Its amazing how you really dont know people.. Her body was found strangled in a ditch the next day. James then escaped from a work project where he was sentenced to and was arrested yet again in April 1967. O'Keefe's parents have since died, Spitzer said, but her sisters have been notified about the arrest. The investigation into the homicide remained cold for 45 years until Virginia-based Parabon NanoLabs used DNA to identify Neal as a suspect in the killing, leading to his arrest last month in Colorado. (Newport Beach Police Department) James Alan Neal, 73, who. An undated photo of Linda OKeefe who was killed in Southern California in July 1973. Helicopters, police Jeeps and search parties scoured the area looking for signs of O'Keefe. "Individuals who engage in sexual activity against minors tend to have certain indicators of a predatory nature," Spitzer said. Newport Beach police in July released a sketch of a man, the possible suspect, based on DNA collected at the scene. March 29, 2019 / 6:44 PM Investigators would later learn that the girl had last been seen at an intersection, talking to a stranger in a turquoise van. His next court appearance is set for June 14. But that day, she was dropped off. In spite of rehabilitative attempts through California Youth Authority and Orange County Jail sentences (it) seems to negate any desire or ability (by Neal) to follow through.. James Alan Neal was known as James Albert Layton Jr. when he was born in 1946. When O'Keefe didn't return home right away, there was little concern at first. IE 11 is not supported. "I'm astonished at what they were able to accomplish," Borgeson, 64, said. Spitzer noted that the DNA lead police had obtained was wholly unrelated to the department's live-tweeting of O'Keefe's last day but said the exercise had served to revive the case in the public's mind. Linda O'Keefe Murder Defendant James Alan Neal Is Dead | Law & Crime Seven years before James Alan Neal allegedly kidnapped, sexually assaulted and strangled 11-year-old Linda Ann OKeefe in Newport Beach, he sat in an Orange County jail cell lamenting his miserable life and long rap sheet. The genealogical hit came in January, officials said. Records reveal Neal was arrested on Sept. 9, 1973, in Marion County, Florida, on a fraud charge for writing a bad check and unauthorized use of a vehicle. The sketches depict what the suspect may have looked like at 25 years old as well as an age-progressed version. She makes a lot of my clothes, and my sisters clothes. Linda Ann O'Keefe was killed in July 1973 -- and decades went by without leads. SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) A Colorado man has pleaded not guilty to murder in the 1973 death of an 11-year-old California girl. James Neal, 72, was arrested in Colorado Springs on Tuesday and charged with murder with special circumstances, Spitzer said. A man has been arrested through DNA and genetic genealogy in the decades-old cold case killing of 11-year-old Linda Ann OKeefe, who was strangled to death in Southern California in 1973, authorities said. Photo Source. As part of an effort to renew interest in the case, the Newport Beach Police Department used their Twitter account to recount the story of Lindas life, mysterious disappearance and death. 2023 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Since April 2018, genetic genealogy has helped identify more than three dozen suspects, said CeCe Moore, chief genetic genealogist with Parabon NanoLabs. Sister of victim in 1973 cold case murder speaks out after suspect Man charged with killing 11-year-old Linda O'Keefe in 1973 cold-case "Technology has caught up with the law," Spitzer said Wednesday. James Alan Neal, 72, was arrested in Colorado Tuesday for allegedly killing Linda O'Keefe, 11, and leaving her body in a ditch. Colorado Man Arrested in 1973 Killing of 11-Year-Old Girl Featured in DNA leads to arrest in half century-old cold case murder of 11-year-old 1966 probation report describes man suspected of killing 11-year-old Investigators identified Neal as a suspect using genealogical DNA. "The hit on the genealogical DNA came back and hit in January so it was very recent," Spitzer said. Lindas story deeply touched the hearts of our community, said Newport Beach Police Chief Jon Lewis. [emailprotected]. Neal became a suspect in the slaying through "genealogical DNA," Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said. Investigators said he used to live in Southern California in the 1970s and was known as James Albert Layton Jr at the time, although he later moved to Florida and changed his name. The brown-haired, blue-eyed 11-year-old got a ride to summer school - about half a mile away - but had to walk home in the afternoon. After following and obtaining a DNA sample from Neal himself, police were confident enough to make an arrest, he added. Paul Bersebach/The Orange County Register via AP, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Linda Ann O'Keefe's killing in 1973 in Newport Beach, California went unsolved for more than four decades. The child disappeared while walking home from summer. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Then her mother made that call that every parent dreads and told police her daughter was missing, he said. She was later found strangled to death and dumped in a ditch in Newport Beachs Back Bay. (Courtesy of Newport Beach Police Department) James Alan Neal, 72, of Monument, Colorado, who was arrested for allegedly murdering Linda O'Keefe in Newport Beach, California, in 1973. Her body was found the next day in a nature preserve. James Neal was arrested in February 2019 and charged with raping and killing Linda Ann OKeefe. O'Keefe's suspected killer, James Neal, who lived in Southern California in the 1970s, was arrested this week in Colorado where he had been living, said Orange County District Attorney Todd . Have a tip or story idea? James Neal was arrested in 2019 after DNA submitted to a genealogical website linked him to the crime. People in the city of Newport Beach have been following this case for literally 45 years, Spitzer said. James was in and out of prison throughout his younger life, with arrest records in California, Florida, and Colorado between 1959 and 1974. A day later, her body was found in a ditch, and she had been sexually assaulted. Linda O'Keefe fue asesinada en 1973 mientras caminaba a casa desde la escuela. We will make sure that the defendant is fairly and justly held accountable in a court of law.". Emailus. On one hand, we were grateful that we could have that conversation and provide some closure.". Police were tight-lipped about exactly how they solved the case but said they received a lead in January that prompted them to begin investigating Neal, who had been living in Orange County at the time of O'Keefe's killing but had since moved to Colorado. 5 facts about the Linda O'Keefe murder case - Sportskeeda Neal is being held in the El Paso County Jail in Colorado. Watch: Aurora Dazzles Ladakh Skies As Geomagnetic Storm Hits Earth, This website follows the DNPA Code of Ethics. Through genealogical DNA, though, investigators corroborated the DNA from O'Keefe's body and the DNA obtained from the suspect, according to Spitzer. Neal then moved back to California, where he lived until 2014 at six addresses in Riverside, Hemet and Winchester, public records show. The 11-year-old was last seen on this street talking to a stranger in a van. He said he was glad he had all that stuff behind him but never mentioned what he had done, Malecki recalled. James Alan Neal, 72, of Monument, Colorado, who was arrested for allegedly murdering Linda OKeefe in Newport Beach, California, in 1973. As a result of surveillance and other traditional detective techniques, they were able to get additional DNA which resulted in the corroboration of the DNA from the victims body, to the DNA sample that the suspect left during a particular location during surveillance activities, the Orange County district attorney said after Neals arrest in February 2019. The Twitter campaign did not lead to the suspect's identification, but it did create an emphasis on the case and opened doors for the case to be pursued with renewed efforts, officials said. He was arrested in Colorado Springs on Feb. 19. The 11-year-old was described as a gentle, lovely soul. She was raped and then strangled to death. It was our intention to see James Alan Neal stand trial and answer for the murder of Linda Ann OKeefe, Newport Beach Police Chief Jon Lewis said. He was paroled in July 1961 but returned to the Youth Authority in October 1962. Photo Source. Linda O'Keefe: DNA Leads to Arrest in 1973 Murder of Calif. Girl Linda O'Keefe Murder: How Did She Die? Who Killed Her? "As you can imagine, this was difficult news to receive," Lewis said. Colorado Man Pleads Not Guilty In California Cold Case Death Even after detectives got the lead through genealogical DNA, investigators needed to a secure a sample from Neal, Spitzer said. Records show that from 1963 to 1966, Neal was employed as cook, furniture mover, iron worker, factory worker, and a floral deliveryman but didnt hold a job longer than five months. NDTV Public Opinion: Will Tipu Sultan Controversy Impact Karnataka Votes? "We have never forgotten Linda," Newport Beach Police Chief Jon Lewis said at the news conference. According to police, O'Keefe normally rode her bike to summer school. Newport Beach police released this undated image of Linda O'Keefe in an effort to get assistance from the public to help solve her murder in Southern California in July 1973. Her strangled body was found the next day. Anyone with additional information about the OKeefe case or who believes they may be a victim of Neal is asked to call the NBPD Cold Case Tip Line at 949-644-3669.. James lived in the area around the time and worked in construction. ABC News' Jenna Harrison contributed to this report. Monument man mulls extradition in 1973 rape and murder of California The next day she was found strangled, her. "My office will never forget about cold cases," Spitzer said in a statement. So, if youre curious to know more about James and what happened to him after his arrest, weve got you covered. The police department last year also "live-tweeted" O'Keefe's story from her perspective, narrating the final day of her life in real-time, exactly 45 years later. ABC News' Kayna Whitworth contributed to this report. Blashaw did not explain what this sickness was but elaborated that the inmate did not have COVID-19 symptoms. Her parents checked with friends and searched the neighborhood and the path she took home to no avail, Lewis said. Trouble followed James everywhere, and he was sentenced to 3-10 years for fraud in Colorado. Linda Ann O'Keefe cold case: Before James Neal's arrest, he had a James Alan Neal was arrested in Monument in 2019. That DNA "hit" came in January, Spitzer said. On Tuesday, 45 years after Lindas brutal murder, authorities arrested the man that DNA evidence from a genealogy site allegedly points to as her killer: James Alan Neal, 72, of Monument, Colorado, officials announced at a press conference Wednesday. To her familys horror, her dead body was found the next day in a ditch, still wearing the dress her mother had made for her. "I want to know if there are any other victims.". Neal was arrested for burglaries in August and October 1959 and was committed to the California Youth Authority in December 1960. My mom made it. He feels he has always been picked on and never given a chance to better himself or be equal to others, Neal wrote in the report. ( Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. Jeffrey Malecki, 55, who lived next door to Neal for five years, said Friday his neighbor mentioned having served time in jail but never elaborated. Photo Source. While their parents did not live to see an arrest, Borgeson said, "I'm sure she [O'Keefe] and my parents are rejoicing.". Neal is charged with murder, kidnapping during the commission of murder and lewd and lascivious acts upon a child under 14 in the beachside town of Corona del Mar, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said. Neal was taken to a hospital on May 25 for an illness. Specifics on how Neal died have not been released, but 11 News is told he was hospitalized at the end of May. Or to keep it anonymous, click here. 11-year-old Linda O'Keefe was kidnapped on her way back from home in July 1973. She had been strangled and sexually assaulted. Neals education was terminated early and his work history was spotty, McMillan reported. It was our intention to see James Alan Neal stand trial and answer for the murder of Linda An OKeefe, Newport Beach police Chief Jon Lewis said. Linda O'Keefe was killed in 1973 while walking home from school. Anyone who may have any information on this unsolved crime is asked to call the Newport Beach Police Cold Case Tip Line at 949-644-3669. Scott was part of the OC Registers investigative team that in 2017 produced the year-long, award winning Rehab Riviera series, examining problems in Southern Californias drug rehabilitation industry. A day later, her body was found in a ditch, and she had been sexually assaulted. Suspect in 1973 California rape and murder dies before trial | 9news.com Generations of investigators worked on her case, said Lewis. He had a connection to southern California, which has been corroborated, he said. Copyright 2020 KKTV. There is no record of Neal ever having been incarcerated in a California prison, according to state officials. If he pursues these goals conscientiously and stays away from downtown Santa Ana where associates congregate, he feels he will never again become involved in difficulty, the probation officer wrote. He was released on parole in July 1971, and about two years later, the authorities believed he killed Linda. Beware of scams, Denver police searching for missing 14-year-old. After Lindas death, Neal moved to Florida, where he changed his name to James Alan George Leyton, Spitzer said. Neal worked in construction at the time of the crime, officials said. The 11-year-old was taken while she walked back from school in California, with witnesses reporting Linda talking to a white male in a van. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Authorities did not provide details on Neal's illness. But he praised Newport Beach police for persisting through the decades. James Neal (left) and Linda O'Keefe (right) (credit: CBS). Man who served 15 years for murder his brother confessed to awarded $7,500,000, Woman 'sold 20 boxes of fetuses, hearts, genitalia and brains on Facebook', One killed after plane crashes into Los Angeles neighborhood.
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