Murder Mystery Solved With Breakthrough After 46 Years

A man has been arrested in connection with a "brutal" killing that occurred 46 years ago.

Rodger Zodas Brown, who is now 82 years old, was apprehended by the FBI at his North Carolina home last week.

He is the chief suspect in the four-decades-long cold-case killing of Kathryn Donohue, who was found beaten, raped and dead in a parking lot in Prince George's County, Maryland, in 1979.

Bill DelBagno, special agent in charge of the FBI's Baltimore field office, referred to the killing in a press conference on Tuesday as a "brutal murder," according to ABC News. When her body was found in 1979, there were traces of DNA on her, but the Prince George's County Police Department (PGPD) and other investigators were unable to connect it to anyone until recently.

The PGPD were contacted via email for further comment.

Why It Matters

Brown was arrested after detectives from the PGPD cold-case unit were able to use recent advancements in science to forensically analyse the DNA connected to the case.

The Donohue family thanked the PGPD for its "relentless pursuit of the truth which has finally given us a sense of closure."

What to Know

On March 3, 1979, a person walking through a Glenarden, Maryland, parking lot discovered the body of 31-year-old Kathryn Donohue, an Arlington, Virginia, resident.

The PGPD homicide team attempted to solve the killing for years, but they were unsuccessful at the time and unable to tie the DNA evidence to anybody.

At the end of 2024, a new generation of PGPD investigators were able to connect the DNA on the body to a relative of the still-unknown male suspect, thanks to new DNA technology.

Then, with the help of the FBI Baltimore East Region, FBI Investigative Genetic Genealogy Team, Raleigh Police Department (NC) and Othram Inc., as well as the FBI Charlotte Field Office and Moore County Sheriff's Office, they were able to track down Brown in North Carolina and arrest him last week.

According to police, when Brown was arrested he was "solemn," "cold" and showed "no reaction," as reported by ABC.

At this time, the investigation is still active, and PGPD said: "There is no known connection between the victim and suspect."

PGPD asked: "If anyone has information relevant to this investigation and would like to speak to a Homicide Unit detective, they are asked to please call 301-516-2512."

What People Are Saying

The family of Kathryn Donohue said on X: "The entire Donohue family would like to express our deepest gratitude to everyone involved in this investigation, especially the men and women of the Prince George's County Police Department, for their tireless efforts and unwavering dedication to seeking justice. We will always be grateful for their determination, their compassion, and their relentless pursuit of the truth which has given us a sense of closure which we never thought possible after all this time."

Prince George's County Police Chief Malik Aziz said: "This case serves as a reminder that we will never give up seeking the truth no matter how much time has passed."

What Happens Next

Brown has been charged with first degree murder, rape and related charges. He is currently in North Carolina, but will be extradited to Prince George's County.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual violence, you can contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673, or contact the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) helpline via their website rainn.org.