Resolved WA- Krisann Baxter, 16, sexually assaulted & strangled, Spokane, 4 Oct. '78, *killer DNA identified as Keith D. Lindblom (deceased) 2023

[dotr]

Cold Case solved: Genetic genealogy unravels 1978 killing of Krisann Baxter near Whitworth

In the 45 years since 16-year-old Krisann Baxter was found strangled near Whitworth University, her case had stumped investigators.

www.spokesman.com

''In the 45 years since 16-year-old Krisann Baxter was found strangled near Whitworth University, her case had stumped investigators.

“Do cases get any tougher than this one?” Spokane County Sheriff’s Lt. Robert Sennette said a month after her death. “Not a hell of a lot.”

That is until Friday, when the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office announced they had solved the case using genetic genealogy.

Keith D. Lindblom, who died in a fire on April 11, 1981, is suspected of raping and killing Baxter.

Two utility workers found Baxter’s partially nude body in the shade from a group of ponderosa pines a half-mile north of Hawthorn Road between Division and Whitworth Drive on Oct. 4, 1978.

Steve Baxter, her brother, who died earlier this year, identified her body. She was a student at Joseph Jantsch High School (the current location of Spokane Public Montessori) and had run away from home about a week before her body was found.

Then-Spokane County Coroner Lois R. Shanks said Krisann Baxter was killed about two days before she was found. She had extensive bruising, along with trauma to her lungs and liver. It was clear she underwent “extreme” trauma and was sexually assaulted, Shanks said.

During the autopsy, Shanks collected possible DNA samples. That evidence was sent to the Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratory, but DNA analysis was in its nascent stages and little testing could be done.''

''Lindblom was released from prison on Aug. 7, 1978 – two months before Krisann Baxter’s killing.

In 2020, Det. Mike Drapeau submitted DNA samples from the Baxter case to the crime lab for additional testing. The results were sent to Othram Inc. in Texas for further processing, according to a sheriff’s office news release.

Othram genealogists identified a likely familial DNA match. Lindblom’s child provided DNA, which through testing was determined to be a match.''

 

[dotr]

After 45 years, the Murderer of Krisann Baxter is Identified

Spokane County Sheriff's Office Partners with Othram to Identify the 1978 Murderer of Krisann Baxter

dnasolves.com

''Evidentiary items were sent to the Washington State Patrol (WSP) Crime Laboratory for testing. Although 1978 DNA testing abilities were limited compared to the testing abilities of today, the samples were believed to contain DNA. However, an analysis could not be completed due to these limitations. The evidence was securely stored for future testing. In August 2006, knowing the advancement in DNA testing abilities, Major Crimes Detective D. Marske (Ret.) sent the samples back to the WSP Crime Lab for testing. The test results showed DNA consistent with Krisann Baxter and an “unknown male”. The male profile was entered into CODIS (Combined DNA Indexing System), but a match was not found. In 2014, the profile was updated in CODIS and entered into the National DNA Indexing System (NDIS), where it is compared to every DNA entry in the nation on a rotating basis, but still, a match was not identified.

In 2020, Major Crimes Detective M. Drapeau again submitted the samples to the WSP Crime Lab for additional examination. In early 2021, a portion of the forensic evidence was sent to Othram’s laboratory in The Woodlands, Texas for advanced DNA testing. Using Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing®, Othram’s scientists developed a comprehensive DNA profile for the unknown male contributor. Othram’s in-house genealogy team identified potential relatives of the unknown male, including a direct decedent of the individual who was deceased. These leads were provided to Spokane County Sheriff Detective M. Drapeau who used this new information to conduct a follow-up investigation. Living family members of the identified relative were contacted and interviewed. Reference DNA samples were collected, and subsequent DNA profiles were developed and analyzed by Othram’s scientists, resulting in additional investigative attempts to identify the unknown male contributor.

Continued investigative efforts revealed Keith D. Lindblom (born in 1949) as a possible person of interest. Detective M. Drapeau searched law enforcement databases and learned Lindblom was arrested and charged in Spokane County for the 1975 violent assault and rape of a 16-year-old female victim near the area where Krisann Baxter’s body was discovered. Lindblom admitted to having intercourse with the juvenile victim and pled guilty to Assault 1st Degree in exchange for the rape charges being dropped. Lindblom stated he was innocent of the assault and only pled guilty due to the possible result of a trial. Through the continued investigation, it was learned Lindblom was released from prison on August 7, 1978, and was not in custody at the time of Krisann Baxter’s murder and sexual assault.''

 

[Richard]

Keith Douglas Lindblom​

Birth 31 Mar 1949 - Hennepin, Minnesota, USA
Death 11 Apr 1981 - Spokane, Washington, USA
Mother Geraldine M Stieren 1929 - 1989
Father Gerald Keith Lindblom 1924 - 2011

LINKS:

Keith Douglas Lindblom 1949-1981 - Ancestry®

Research genealogy for Keith Douglas Lindblom of Hennepin, Minnesota, USA, as well as other members of the Lindblom family, on Ancestry®.

www.ancestry.com

Cold Case solved: Genetic genealogy unravels 1978 killing of Krisann Baxter near Whitworth

In the 45 years since 16-year-old Krisann Baxter was found strangled near Whitworth University, her case had stumped investigators.

www.spokesman.com

Suspect determined in 1978 Spokane cold case, died in 1981

SPOKANE, Wash. -- Spokane County Major Crimes detectives have charged a man who died in 1981 with the murder and sexual assault of a 16-year-old girl in 1978.

www.kxly.com

It Took 45 Years, but Police Have Solved This Teen’s Murder

Detectives couldn’t catch a break until genetic genealogy started cracking cold cases.

www.thedailybeast.com

 

[arielilane]

Josh Mankiewicz reposted

Othram is honored to have assisted the Spokane County Sheriff's Office in identifying the suspect in the 1978 sexual assault and murder of 16-year-old Krisann Baxter. #dnasolves

https://twitter.com/x/status/1700251106209931723