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Police to trial controversial DNA tool for two of NZ's most high-profile cold cases
Police hope genealogy sites can help find Alicia O'Reilly and Mellory Manning's killers.
''Police will use a controversial DNA tool in a bid to solve two of the country’s most high-profile cold case murders, the Herald can reveal.''
''The Herald earlier revealed detectives hoped to use a genetic investigative tool for two cold cases - the murder of Alicia O’Reilly in 1980, dubbed Operation Sturbridge, and Operation Dallington, the inquiry into the murder of Mellory Manning in 2008.''
Manning’s brother Rob told the Herald yesterday the police’s decision to trial the DNA tool was a “brilliant outcome”.
“Anything that’s going to increase the chances is really positive,” Manning said.
“It just shows we’ve got the technology there so let’s use it, and if it can help this case and help other families as well, I don’t think anyone can say it’s a bad thing.”
Ngati “Mellory” Lynette Manning, 27, was murdered in 2008. Police allege Manning, who had spent several months out of prostitution and was only out for one night to get money for Christmas presents, was subjected to a horrific attack at a Mongrel Mob gang pad, where it’s believed she was raped, stabbed and bashed by several people.'
''Detectives working on the case decades later believed that forensic evidence - hair and semen left by the killer - had been inexplicably destroyed during the original investigation.
But in a stunning twist three years ago, some unmarked samples were found in archives and scientists from ESR, the Crown research institute, were able to extract a full DNA profile of the perpetrator.''
''During the police inquiry, a DNA profile from semen found on Manning’s body was attributed to an unidentified person, referred to as “Male B”.
Despite extensive testing, Male B has never been identified.''
2021
Cold case: Police reveal new DNA lead in sex worker's 2008 murder
Detectives probing Mellory Manning murder want to identify "Male B".
"It is also the belief of the investigation team that due to the nature of her injuries, a number of persons were involved in her death."
A post-mortem examination was undertaken, and a semen sample was located from which a DNA profile was obtained - which is referred to as the Male B sample.
The known clients who had been with Manning on the Thursday evening have been eliminated as being Male B.''
Now, information is sought from members of the public who may have information as to the identity of Male B or have any other information as to who was involved in Manning's death and what occurred that night.
"Police urge these people to come forward to give the family some closure," Murton added.''
