Robert Edwards, 67, was arrested on August 5, 2022, for the June 3, 1991 rape and murder of 30-year-old Alma Lake in Urbancrest, Ohio. Two passers-by found Lake’s body lying on the grass near a street corner. She was naked, bound, and had been sexually assaulted before being strangled to death.
A DNA profile of the suspect was developed, but there were no hits in CODIS. The case was reopened in 2020. There is presently no information on who conducted the FGG investigation. The initial confirmation was made through surreptitious DNA sampling, followed by a warrant to confirm that Edwards’ DNA profile was consistent with that found on Lake’s body.
Edwards’ DNA has also matched a suspect profile found on the body of Michelle Dawson, who was murdered in similar circumstances. Her remains were found on November 11, 1996 about 50 miles east of where Lake was killed. The investigation into this case is ongoing, and charges in this case may be forthcoming.
The investigation was also furthered by a victim who was assaulted by an unknown male a few days after Lake’s murder. Edwards cannot be charged in her case, as the statute of limitation on sexual assault has expired.
Edwards is facing charges of aggravated murder in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas.
Sources:
10TV Web Staff. “Columbus Man Linked to Two Women Found Dead in 1990s by DNA.” WBNS News 10, August 8, 2022. Last modified August 9, 2022. Accessed August 15, 2022. https://www.10tv.com/article/news/crime/columbus-man-to-two-woman-sexually-assaulted-killed-in-1990s/530-5b065fc8-5f9a-49e2-8810-271c56712a99.
Benatar, Orri. “Man Arrested for 1991 Murder in Franklin County.” NBC 4 News, August 9, 2022. Accessed August 14, 2022. https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/franklin-county/man-arrested-for-1991-murder-in-franklin-county/.
McMahan, Clayton. “Cold Case Investigation Leads to Arrest in 1991 Ohio Homicide.” WANE News, August 9, 2022. Accessed August 14, 2022. https://www.wane.com/top-stories/cold-case-investigation-leads-to-arrest-in-1991-ohio-homicide/.
Taylor, Michelle. “Familial DNA Links Suspect to Two Cold Case Homicides.” Forensic Magazine, August 10, 2022. Accessed August 14, 2022. https://www.forensicmag.com/589009-Familial-DNA-Links-Suspect-to-Two-Cold-Case-Homicides/.