Genetic genealogy leads to murder charges in 1993 cold case
A man has been charged in the 1993 murder of an Illinois woman after genetic genealogy helped investigators identify him as a suspect.
Albert "Buddy" Zigler, 70, has been charged with two counts of first degree murder in Illinois, Madison County State's Attorney Thomas Haine announced Tuesday.
"Advances in technology and science are creating opportunities to solve cases that years ago would simply be impossible to solve," Haine said.
The nude body of a woman who had been bludgeoned to death was found in a field in November 1993 at around 11:45 p.m., Madison County Sheriff Jeff Connor said at a press conference Tuesday.
The body was identified as 33-year-old Randy Gail Sperino the next day, Connor said.
She had been seen walking earlier that evening and was last seen alive at around 8 p.m., getting into a vehicle, Connor said.
Her body was found hours later. For decades investigators conducted interviews and searched for the person responsible.
About a year ago DNA evidence from the scene was submitted to a genealogy lab in Texas that had helped investigators solve another case recently. They were able to get a lead in the case in the Midwest, Connor said.
Investigators continued to look into the murder and eventually were able to identify Zigler as the suspect.
"Through the dedicated and persistent efforts of investigators over the years, sufficient evidence was developed to support first-degree murder charges against Zigler," the sheriff's office said in a statement.
Zigler is currently in custody, Connor said.
"While nothing can erase the pain experienced by the victim's loved ones, we hope this development provides some answers after so many years," Haine said.
Zigler is from the area, but there was no connection between him and the victim. He picked her up while she was walking down the street that night, Connor said.
"I never thought this day would come. I thought I might pass and never know, but that all changed thanks to these guys behind me," Wes Sperino, the victim's son, said Tuesday.
"Thank you. I finally get closure, my family and I finally know who did this," Sperino said.
