DNA analysis leads to arrest in 1994 Capitol Hill cold case

Seattle Police arrested Mark Anthony Russ, 57, on Wednesday, linking him to the 1994 murder of 14-year-old Tanya Marie Frazier through DNA evidence collected at the crime scene. Frazier disappeared after leaving summer school and was found dead five days later, raising questions about the effectiveness of the initial investigation. Russ, a registered sex offender with a lengthy criminal history, including attempted rape, is currently held without bail in King County Jail for investigation of homicide. Detective Rolf Norton acknowledged the decades of work by investigators and scientists on the case, noting the ongoing grief of Frazier's family. The Seattle Times previously reported frustrations regarding the police's handling of the investigation, with Frazier's mother questioning if earlier action could have saved her daughter.

Russ's arrest brings renewed attention to the case, which had remained cold for over three decades. The King County Prosecutor's office is reviewing the case for potential charges. This development underscores the importance of DNA technology in solving long-standing cold cases.