DNA used to solve 11-year-old Southern California killing

Authorities say cutting-edge DNA procedures helped them solve the killing of a Southern California woman on Valentine's Day 11 years ago.|
ASSOCIATED PRESS
BY ASSOCIATED PRESS

CARLSBAD - Authorities say cutting-edge DNA procedures helped them solve the killing of a Southern California woman on Valentine's Day 11 years ago.

Carlsbad police on Tuesday named David Mabrito, a homeless man who committed suicide in 2011.

Lt. Greg Koran says investigators have no doubt that Mabrito beat to death 39-year-old Jodine Serrin on Feb. 14, 2007 at her Carlsbad condominium.

Serrin was developmentally disabled but highly functioning and lived alone.

Serrin's parents had checked on her, spotted a man in her bed and thought they were interrupting something. When the couple didn't come out after a short wait, they went in and found their daughter dead in bed.

The man had fled.

Police have no motive for the killing. The family says it's grateful to police for resolving the case.

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