Summary
On the evening of September 6, 1979, Kathryn Donohue was discovered murdered in her home. Law enforcement launched an immediate investigation and detectives collected forensic evidence from the crime scene, interviewed potential witnesses, and explored multiple leads. However, despite their efforts, the case grew cold due to the limitations of forensic technology at the time. Traditional DNA testing methods available in previous decades were unable to yield a viable suspect, leaving the case unsolved and Donohue’s family without answers.
In 2024, PGPD’s Cold Case Unit reexamined Donohue’s case and decided to submit forensic evidence for advanced DNA analysis. The evidence was sent to Othram, a forensic laboratory specializing in Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® and forensic genetic genealogy. Scientists at Othram were able to extract DNA from the evidence and develop a comprehensive genetic profile. The profile was delivered to the FBI's forensic genetic genealogy team. The FBI's team traced the DNA to potential relatives, which led investigators to Rodger Zodas Brown as a person of interest. After identifying Brown, PGPD investigators worked to obtain a reference DNA sample from him. When tested, his DNA matched the evidence collected from the crime scene, conclusively linking him to the murder of Kathryn Donohue.
Rodger Zodas Brown, now in his 80s, was arrested at his home in Pinehurst, North Carolina without incident. At the time of Donohue’s murder, Brown lived in the area, but he had not been considered a suspect during the original investigation. Authorities are now working to determine whether Brown may be connected to any other unsolved crimes from that time period. He is currently awaiting extradition to Virginia, where he faces charges of first-degree murder. His arrest marks a critical step toward justice for Kathryn Donohue and her family, and it also highlights the power of forensic genetic genealogy in solving cases once thought to be unsolvable.
Continued support for forensic DNA research and testing is crucial to solving more cases like this. If you would like to help, consider contributing to forensic funding initiatives that assist law enforcement in resolving cold cases. Additionally, individuals can play a direct role in advancing forensic investigations by contributing their DNA data to DNASolves, in support of identification efforts.
The identification of Kathryn Donohue's killer represents the fifth case in the Maryland where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram.
Michael Vogen
Director of Case Management
Michael works with law enforcement agencies throughout the United States and Canada on “unsolvable“ cases that can benefit from advanced DNA testing methods. He helps these agencies use cutting edge DNA sequencing and new forensic techniques to develop investigative leads for their cases.