Brian Scott Koehl, age 51, was arrested on July 13, 2022, for the May 25, 1990 murder of 32-year-old Larry Joe Breen in San Diego, California. Breen’s nude body was found in his home in Point Loma. He was slumped against a fence in the back yard, and had been stabbed several times in the neck. It appears that Breen was attacked in the home, and then exited after being wounded. He had recently been discharged from the Navy, and was preparing to move into the home where he was found.
A DNA profile of the suspect was developed. Investigators have stated that Koehl’s DNA was reportedly found on a counter, in the shower, and on beer bottles in the house.
The FGG investigation was overseen by the San Diego District Attorney’s Cold Homicide and Research Genealogy Effort as well as the FBI.
Koehl was arrested at his home in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was extradited to San Diego on charges of homicide.
On August 23, 2022, Koehl plead not guilty. Koehl has posted bond for 500,000 and has returned to his family in Knoxville. Koehl told police he attended a party at Breen’s house and left in Breen’s car. He returned the next morning to find Breen’s body. He quickly disposed of the car, and did not report Breen’s death to Navy authorities.
Sources:
City News Service. “Tennessee Man Arrested in Once-Cold Murder Case of Navy Sailor in Point Loma.” NBC News 7 San Diego, July 13, 2022. Accessed July 17, 2022. https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/tennesee-man-arrested-three-decades-after-killing-of-sailor-in-point-loma/2993961/.
Putnam, Neal. “Cold Case Homicide Figure Posts $500,000 Bond.” SDNews.com, September 5, 2022. Accessed January 15, 2023. https://sdnews.com/cold-case-homicide-figure-posts-500000-bond/.
Riggins, Alex. “Suspect in Cold-Case Killing of Point Loma Sailor Arrested in Tennessee; Authorities Credit DNA, Genealogy.” San Diego Union Tribune, July 14, 2022. Accessed July 17, 2022. https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/public-safety/story/2022-07-14/suspect-in-cold-case-murder-of-point-loma-sailor-arrested-in-tennessee-authorities-credit-dna-genealogy.
Simpson, Carissa. “Suspect in 32-Year-Old Murder Case Arrested in Knoxville.” WVLT 8 News Knoxville, July 16, 2022. Accessed July 17, 2022. https://www.wvlt.tv/2022/07/16/suspect-1990-murder-cold-case-arrested-knoxville/.