Traces Of Murder
Digest
In 1985, Enrique Elizarbe, an immigrant from Peru, was found murdered in a warehouse in Prince William County, Virginia. His coworker, Roland Wheeler, claimed Elizarbe came to the back door of the plant, already beaten and bleeding from the head. However, blood patterns on the floor and walls of the warehouse indicated that Wheeler was lying and that Elizarbe was actually killed inside the warehouse, then dragged outside. Despite strong suspicions, the case went cold for 15 years. Cold case detectives reopened the case and used advanced forensic techniques to identify the murder weapon, a green crowbar, and found traces of blood on Wheeler's boots. They also discovered a nail embedded in Wheeler's left shoe that matched a footprint found at the crime scene. Wheeler was arrested and eventually confessed to the murder to two inmates. He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. This case highlights the importance of meticulous evidence collection and the power of advanced forensic techniques in solving cold cases.
Outlines
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The Murder of Enrique Elizarbe
This Chapter introduces the case of Enrique Elizarbe, an immigrant from Peru who was found murdered in a warehouse in 1985. His coworker, Roland Wheeler, claimed Elizarbe came to the back door of the plant, already beaten and bleeding from the head. However, blood patterns on the floor and walls of the warehouse indicated that Wheeler was lying and that Elizarbe was actually killed inside the warehouse, then dragged outside. Despite strong suspicions, the case went cold for 15 years.
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Cold Case Investigation
This Chapter details the reopening of the Elizarbe murder case 15 years later. Cold case detectives used advanced forensic techniques to identify the murder weapon, a green crowbar, and found traces of blood on Wheeler's boots. They also discovered a nail embedded in Wheeler's left shoe that matched a footprint found at the crime scene. Wheeler was arrested and eventually confessed to the murder to two inmates. He was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
Keywords
Enrique Elizarbe
Enrique Elizarbe was a 27-year-old immigrant from Peru who was murdered in a warehouse in Prince William County, Virginia in 1985. He was found bleeding heavily from the head and close to death. He was working at the warehouse building crates for $5 an hour. He was attacked inside the warehouse and dragged outside. He died from blunt force trauma to the head.
Roland Wheeler
Roland Wheeler was a coworker of Enrique Elizarbe. He was initially considered a hero for finding Elizarbe and calling for help. However, blood patterns and other evidence indicated that he was the murderer. He was arrested in 2000 and convicted of murder in 2001. He is currently serving a life sentence in prison.
Cold Case
A cold case is a criminal investigation that has been inactive for a significant period of time. Cold cases are often reopened when new evidence is discovered or when advances in forensic technology make it possible to re-examine old evidence. The Elizarbe case is an example of a cold case that was successfully solved using advanced forensic techniques.
Forensic Science
Forensic science is the application of scientific methods to criminal investigations. Forensic scientists use a variety of techniques to analyze evidence, such as DNA analysis, blood pattern analysis, and fingerprint analysis. In the Elizarbe case, forensic scientists played a crucial role in identifying the murder weapon, linking Wheeler to the crime scene, and ultimately securing his conviction.
Prince William County Police Department
The Prince William County Police Department is a law enforcement agency in Prince William County, Virginia. The department was responsible for investigating the murder of Enrique Elizarbe. The department's cold case unit reopened the case in 1999 and successfully brought Wheeler to justice.
Virginia State Crime Lab
The Virginia State Crime Lab is a forensic laboratory that provides scientific analysis and testing services to law enforcement agencies in Virginia. The lab played a key role in the Elizarbe case by analyzing the paint chip found in Elizarbe's skull, the blood traces on Wheeler's boots, and the footprints found at the crime scene.
Q&A
What happened to Enrique Elizarbe?
Enrique Elizarbe was murdered in a warehouse in 1985. He was found bleeding heavily from the head and close to death. He died from blunt force trauma to the head.
Who was Roland Wheeler?
Roland Wheeler was a coworker of Enrique Elizarbe. He was initially considered a hero for finding Elizarbe and calling for help. However, blood patterns and other evidence indicated that he was the murderer. He was arrested in 2000 and convicted of murder in 2001. He is currently serving a life sentence in prison.
How was the Elizarbe case solved?
The Elizarbe case was solved using advanced forensic techniques. Cold case detectives were able to identify the murder weapon, a green crowbar, and found traces of blood on Wheeler's boots. They also discovered a nail embedded in Wheeler's left shoe that matched a footprint found at the crime scene. Wheeler was eventually arrested and confessed to the murder to two inmates.
What is a cold case?
A cold case is a criminal investigation that has been inactive for a significant period of time. Cold cases are often reopened when new evidence is discovered or when advances in forensic technology make it possible to re-examine old evidence.
What role did forensic science play in the Elizarbe case?
Forensic science played a crucial role in identifying the murder weapon, linking Wheeler to the crime scene, and ultimately securing his conviction. Forensic scientists analyzed the paint chip found in Elizarbe's skull, the blood traces on Wheeler's boots, and the footprints found at the crime scene.
Show Notes
In 1985, Enrique Elizarbe, a recent immigrant from Peru trying to find a better life, was robbed and beaten by a co-worker in the warehouse where he worked in northern Virginia before eventually succumbing to his injuries in the hospital. 15 years later investigators finally have the forensic technology they need for a conviction.
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