Suspect Identified in Unsolved Murder of Margaret Anselmo

Spokane Police have identified Brian J. Anderson as the suspect in the unsolved 1997 murder of Margaret Anselmo. Anselmo's body was found on January 3, 1997, in an alley, with the medical examiner ruling her death a homicide due to blunt force trauma and signs of sexual assault. Investigators struggled for years to connect a suspect to the case until forensic genetic genealogy techniques were utilized. Anderson, who has since passed away, was linked to the crime through DNA evidence analyzed by Othram, a forensic company.

A local genealogist assisted in identifying Anderson's relatives, who provided DNA that supported the investigation. The kinship analysis revealed that one relative was Anderson's child and another was his half-brother. If he were alive today, the Spokane Police Department would seek first-degree murder and first-degree rape charges against him. This case highlights the advancements in forensic science and its role in solving cold cases, offering hope to victims' families.