On November 15, 2023, 48-year-old Jancys Santiago was arraigned for two cold case rapes in New York City, New York. He was arrested at his home in Groveland, Florida.
The first victim, a 27-year-old woman, was assaulted on May 23, 2000, in her apartment in Midtown Manhattan. An unknown intruder was waiting for her when she came home. He forced her into a bathroom where he used a wire hanger to tie her arms and feet, and sexually assaulted her. A DNA profile of the suspect was developed from the victim’s sexual assault kit and indicted using a John Doe Warrant in 2005.
The second victim, a 21-year-old woman, was assaulted in December of 2001 by an intruder into her home in the Bronx who also bound her with a wire hanger and sexually assaulted her. A DNA profile of the suspect was developed from her SAK and linked through CODIS to the suspect in the earlier rape.
The FIGG investigation was conducted by genetic genealogist Linda Doyle in partnership with the New York Police Department. The initial confirmation was made by surreptitious sampling of DNA from a discarded water bottle and comparing that with the DNA from the victims’ SAKs.
Santiago was indicted on November 15, 2023, on charges of first-degree rape in Bronx Supreme Court. He is currently being held on a $2.5 million bond.
Sources:
DeGregory, Priscilla, and Steven Vago. “Florida man Arrested in Cold Case NYC Rapes from Over 20 Years Ago Thanks to New DNA Tracing Method.” New York Post, December 14, 2023. Accessed December 17, 2023. https://nypost.com/2023/12/14/metro/florida-man-arrested-in-cold-case-nyc-rapes-thanks-to-new-dna-tech/.
Dow, Jay. “Police Arrest Suspect in Rape Cold Case Using Investigative Genetic Genealogy: NYPD.” PIX11 News, December 14, 2023. Last modified December 15, 2023. Accessed December 17, 2023. https://pix11.com/news/local-news/police-arrest-suspect-in-rape-cold-case-using-investigative-genetic-genealogy-nypd/.
Stewart, Eileen. “DNA Breakthrough: Arrest Made in 20-Year-Old Cold Case Through Genetic Family Tree.” West Palm Beach News, December 16, 2023. https://west-palm-beach-news.com/dna-breakthrough-arrest-made-in-20-year-old-cold-case-through-genetic-family-tree/.