A groundbreaking DNA investigation has revealed the identity of a serial rapist who committed heinous crimes spanning three decades.
According to The Daily Caller, the Ventura County District Attorney's Office announced that former Navy diver Sean Patrick McNulty has been identified as the perpetrator of six rapes that occurred between 1982 and 1997. The breakthrough came after DNA testing connected McNulty to sexual assault cases across multiple states.
The investigation began when DNA profiles from two rape kits dating back to 1982 and 1983 were uploaded to the Combined DNA Index System as part of the Ventura County Sexual Assault Kit Initiative. The evidence provided crucial links to similar cases in Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana.
Collaborative Investigation Leads to Breakthrough Discovery
Investigators from various jurisdictions worked together to piece together McNulty's criminal activities. Law enforcement agencies from Michigan and Ohio joined forces with Ventura County authorities to solve these cold cases.
The Columbus Police Department's investigative genealogist played a pivotal role in identifying McNulty as a potential suspect. Their expertise in DNA analysis and genealogical research proved instrumental in connecting the dots.
The investigation revealed that McNulty had died by suicide in 1997 after being named a suspect in a 1993 rape case in Bloomington, Indiana. His remains were cremated, but preserved DNA evidence would later confirm his involvement in multiple assaults.
DNA Evidence Confirms Multiple State Connections
The Columbus Police Department confirmed that McNulty's DNA matched evidence from a 1997 rape in Ohio. This discovery led to further testing and confirmations across state lines.
The Ventura County Sheriff's Forensic Bureau verified that McNulty's genetic profile matched the perpetrator's DNA from the 1982 and 1983 cases in their jurisdiction. Michigan investigators also found matches linking him to attacks in 1994 and 1995.
McNulty's military career as a Navy diver from 1979 to 1992 allowed him to move frequently across the country. He lived in 14 different states throughout his life, including Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Virginia.
Victim Finally Receives Long-awaited Closure
The Ventura County Sexual Assault Kit Initiative investigators managed to locate one of McNulty's victims from the local area. They provided her with the news of his identification after four decades.
The survivor expressed relief upon learning the identity of her attacker, stating she had "waited forty years" for this moment. This breakthrough represents a significant step toward healing for survivors who have lived with uncertainty for decades.
Authorities continue to investigate the possibility of additional victims across multiple jurisdictions. Given McNulty's extensive travel history and the timeline of known attacks, investigators believe there may be more cases connected to him.
Complex Investigation Reveals Predator's Pattern
The case demonstrates the power of modern DNA technology in solving cold cases and bringing closure to survivors. McNulty's military service and frequent relocations enabled him to evade detection for years.
Law enforcement agencies across multiple states collaborated effectively to piece together McNulty's criminal history. The investigation revealed a pattern of attacks spanning from 1982 to 1997, with confirmed cases in California, Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana.
The investigation remains active as authorities work to identify potential additional victims in Ventura County and other locations where McNulty resided. The case serves as a testament to the persistence of law enforcement and the advancement of forensic science in solving cold cases.
