Michigan True Crime: DNA Breakthrough May Solve 2003 Michigan Cold Case

A breakthrough in DNA testing has brought charges in a 22-year-old homicide case, while serving as a reminder that justice doesn't expire in Michigan—and neither do cold cases.

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After two decades of silence, the brutal murder of Jeanette Wilton, a 57-year-old woman from Saginaw, Michigan, is heading to trial.

Charges Filed Against Jason Cabello

The suspect? 47-year-old Jason Cabello, who is now awaiting trial in the 10th Circuit Court in Saginaw County. In a press release, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel calls it a long-overdue step toward justice.

Cabello faces charges of First-Degree Premeditated Murder, Felony Murder, and First-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct. If convicted, he faces three life sentences in Michigan.

Timeline of a Cold Case

Wilton's body was found in the Flint River in February 2003. The autopsy revealed she'd been strangled, stabbed multiple times in the neck, with signs of blunt force trauma and post-mortem injuries.

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Fast forward to 2025, and the Michigan State Police (MSP) Cold Case Unit, along with Western Michigan University's Cold Case Program and the Michigan Attorney General's Office, reanalyzed the evidence in 2024. A match was made.

Cabello's DNA and his past connection to one of Wilton's relatives were enough for an arrest to be made in December 2024. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessell adds, "No case is too cold to be solved."

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If you're a fan of true crime, you know that today's dead-end evidence could be tomorrow's DNA breakthrough. It's just a matter of time before technology catches up with yesterday's crimes.