Robert Lynn Bradley has been identified as the lead suspect in the 1991 murder of Wanda Dean Kirkum. Kirkum’s body was found in the Florida Keys on February 15, 1991. She had been raped and strangled with her bathing suit top. She was unidentified for many years and, because she is thought to have been killed on Valentine’s Day, she became known as ‘Valentine Jane Doe.’ It is now known that she was 18 years-old at the time of her murder and had been hitchhiking in the area.
The FGG investigation was performed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), who identified both the victim and the perpetrator in this homicide.
Bradley was murdered in Tarrant County, Texas in April 1992 when he was 31 years old. Investigators matched the DNA found at Kirkum’s crime scene with a DNA sample collected at Bradley’s autopsy. This case was cleared by exception.
Sources:
Bonvillian, Crystal. “‘Valentine Jane Doe’ Rape, Murder Solved Through DNA After 29 Years.” Fox 13 News Memphis, June 16, 2020. Accessed December 11, 2020. https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/trending/valentine-jane-doe-rape-murder-solved-through-dna-after-29-years/RYE6KJSQTZFXFPBO64CQBQLCOM/.
Filosa, Gwen. “A Murder Case in the Keys Has Been Solved 29 Years Later. No Charges Will Be Filed.” Miami Herald, June 15, 2020, last modified June 16, 2020. Accessed December 11, 2020. https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/florida-keys/article243552692.html.
Taylor, Michelle. “‘Your DNA Will be the Voice for Someone Who Can No Longer Speak’: Genetic Genealogy IDs Victim, Suspect From 1991 Cold Case.” Forensic Magazine, June 19, 2020. Accessed December 11, 2020. https://www.forensicmag.com/565493-Your-DNA-Will-be-the-Voice-for-Someone-Who-Can-No-Longer-Speak-Genetic-Genealogy-IDs-Victim-Suspect-From-1991-Cold-Case/.
Theisen, Tiffini. “‘Valentine Jane Doe Homicide’ Cold Case Solved 29 Years After Teen Girl Found Dead in Florida.” South Florida Sun Sentinel, June 15, 2020. Accessed December 11, 2020. https://www.sun-sentinel.com/os-ne-florida-keys-rape-murder-cold-case-solved-dna-technology-20200615-cscvcegv7rhylfx5igyuaqvfby-story.html