Detectives in El Paso, Texas say DNA evidence has helped them solve a 45-year-old murder mystery. Willie James Johnson, 70, was arrested on September 28 in Madison County, Mississippi after new DNA testing linked him to the murder of Doris Rivers, a 21-year-old El Paso mother. He is now awaiting extradition to El Paso.
A Mississippi man formerly serving in the Army in West Texas has been charged in the stabbing death of an El Paso woman 45 years ago.
El Paso police said 70-year-old Willie James Johnson was arrested Sept. 28 in Madison County, Mississippi, on a murder charge and faces extradition.
Police said 21-year-old Doris Rivers was found slain at her home on Nov. 12, 1970.
Her granddaughter contacted detectives in 2013. Investigators still had fingernail clippings from Rivers.
Police said Johnson was among several Fort Bliss soldiers who knew Rivers and were potential suspects. Police said Johnson may have wanted to date the victim, but she declined.
Johnson recently provided a DNA sample, which police said matched the victim's fingernail clippings.
It wasn't immediately clear if he has an attorney.
