Video: Labor Day Murders Part 3: New Technology Brings New Evidence

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STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI) — Labor Day is a time many families get together and enjoy the day off work, but 25 years ago the holiday shook fear in Starkville residents.

Betty Jones and Kathryn Crigler were murdered on September 3rd 1990.

There killer has never been found.

In the final part of her 3 part series on the murders, WCBI’s Summer Rascoll has the latest on the evidence in the case.

“Tested over 50 something people’s DNA,” says Sergeant Bill Lott.

For 25 years Starkville Police Department has been searching for a man who murdered two woman on Labor Day.

Throughout the years, the suspects and evidence have piled up, getting detectives closer, but never close enough.

Here’s what we do know from Ms. Crigler’s description and DNA testing … The suspect has blond hair and blue eyes, he’s 90% White European, possibly 10% American Indian.

And Sergeant Lott says through psychiatric analysis he could posses these traits.

“It’s not gonna be a person that’s able to hold a job well, he’s gonna be dependent on his family members, or whatever to help him, he doesn’t function well, he could be sexually dysfunctional, he has many problems.”
“80% of them generally live with in 6 blocks of their victim, and they walk to their crime scene.”

Through that analysis, this case has been compared to others across the country, but no luck yet.

“Did kick out a couple of cases, but they weren’t very close and the DNA didn’t match,” says Sergeant Lott.

Now a new test called Genealogical DNA has revealed even more about the killer.

And with that new technology Sergeant Lott says we’re one step closer to knowing who knocked on this door that fateful night.

The new test can catch someone … even if they aren’t in the system.

“Searches for anyone that’s kin,” says Sergeant Lott.

And it’s worked before.

“The Grim Sleeper Killer was identified through a DNA test that actually located his son, and they were able to trace it to him,” says Sergeant Lott.

The test has also provided two more clues…

“He has the blood of a Hicks or Divine. Maybe, he was put up for adoption, or his mother could have been a hicks or divine and married, he’s got a different family name,” says Sergeant Lott.

Now Starkville PD is combing through phone, job,and college records, tracking down anyone with relations to those names who may have been in the area September 3rd 1990.

But Sergeant Lott says he can’t do it alone, he says it’s crucial the public keeps coming forward with possible leads so Kathryn Crigler and Betty Jones can finally have justice.

The name Devine could be spelled with an “I” or an “E”.

If you have any information please call the Starkville PD.