For nearly 40 years, the identity of the man who sexually assaulted and murdered 30-year-old Rhonda Marie Fisher in 1987 remained unknown. Recent DNA analysis of a pair of paper bags placed over her hands at the crime scene led authorities to link the crime to Vincent Darrell Groves, a convicted murderer and one of Colorado’s most notorious serial killers, who died in prison in 1996.
Fisher was found on April 1, 1987, near Sedalia, Colorado, after being last seen walking in Denver. Despite years of investigation and previous DNA tests that failed to yield results, a review by the cold case division prompted testing of the preserved paper bags. The sheriff’s office noted that the meticulous preservation of evidence allowed for the recovery of viable DNA despite the passage of time.
Groves, implicated in numerous murders and assaults, had a violent history targeting vulnerable women from 1978 to 1988. While he was considered a suspect for years, new DNA evidence provided more definitive support for this association. Although Groves cannot be prosecuted, Sheriff Darren Weekley expressed hope that the resolution would bring closure to Fisher’s family.
Fisher’s parents and brother passed away before the case was solved, but a cousin expressed gratitude for finally obtaining answers. Recent advancements in DNA technology continue to help law enforcement solve cold cases, with Fisher’s case representing a significant breakthrough for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office.
Source link
