A Decade Later, Serial Rapist Sunk by Family Ties: Cops

Genealogy data identifies NC's Darold Bowden, accused in 6 rapes
By Arden Dier,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 23, 2018 8:41 AM CDT
A Decade Later, Serial Rapist Sunk by Family Ties: Cops
Darold Wayne Bowden is seen during his arrest on suspicion of rape at his home in North Carolina.   (Fayetteville Police Department via AP)

Online genealogical data led authorities to the suspected Golden State Killer. Now it may have identified the "Ramsey Street Rapist" responsible for at least six rapes in Fayetteville, NC, from March 2006 to January 2008, most following apartment break-ins in the area of Ramsey Street. Arrested shirtless at his home in Lindon on Wednesday (a photo shows a swastika tattoo on his chest), Darold Bowden, 43, is due to appear in court at 2:30pm Thursday, reports WRAL. A long list of charges includes 23 counts of forcible rape or forcible sex offense, six counts of first-degree kidnapping, and one count of indecent liberties with a child, stemming from the 2007 rape of a 15-year-old, per WBTV and Fayetteville Observer. "I'm just glad we got the guy finally," says Lt. John Somerindyke.

Held on $18.8 million bond, Bowden was identified through Parabon NanoLabs' genetic genealogy testing, which involved searching for relatives of the suspect by comparing crime scene DNA with genealogical data available online. Per the AP, Somerindyke says police then obtained a separate sample of Bowden's DNA, which proved they had the right person. "This individual has been in our community, walking on the streets for the last 10 years, smirking and thinking he got away with it. Well, he didn't," says District Attorney Billy West. Meanwhile, friends and family describe Bowden as a generous heating and air conditioning technician. Despite a lengthy criminal record, "he ain't the type of person to do that," his father tells the Observer. (A cold case rape was recently attributed to this serial rapist.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X