1979 Sunnyvale cold case murder of Estella Mena solved through new DNA technology, officials say

The cold case murder of Estella Mena, which remained unsolved for over 40 years, has finally been resolved, with police identifying Samuel Silva as the killer. Mena was murdered in 1979 in Sunnyvale, California, during an attempted sexual assault that resulted in her being stabbed multiple times. Through the application of new DNA technology and genealogy, investigators were able to link Silva to the crime, despite the lack of initial leads. Silva had a history of violent crimes and died in prison in 2008 while serving a sentence for a federal gun charge. Deputy District Attorney Robert Baker underscored the ongoing commitment to justice for victims and their families, highlighting the role of forensic genealogy in solving such cases.

In an effort to continue this momentum, Santa Clara County has introduced a hotline for anonymous tips related to cold cases, which experts believe could yield significant breakthroughs. Since 2018, the county has successfully solved 16 cold case murders and 10 sexual assault cases, showcasing the effectiveness of modern investigative techniques. The ongoing use of genealogy in forensic science continues to give faces and names to unknown murder victims, reflecting a determined pursuit of justice.