William Brian Blankenship was charged on February 11, 2020, with three home invasion rapes that took place in Cincinnati, Ohio between 1999 and 2001. The victims included an adult woman, a 14-year-old girl, and a 10-year-old girl. This youngest girl was kidnapped from a camper in her driveway and taken to a nearby field where she was sexually assaulted.
These cases were linked through DNA profiles obtained from the victims’ sexual assault kits. The FIGG investigation was conducted by The FIGG investigation was conducted by Barbara Rae-Venter and a team that worked on the investigation into the Golden State Killer, including Stephen Kramer, Melissa Parisot, Monica Czajkowski, and Kirk Campbell.
Parabon Nanolabs also worked on this case. Investigators also used Y-STR DNA to narrow down the male lineage to whom the suspect belongs. Investigators were then able to obtain a search warrant for a sample of Blankenship’s DNA to confirm that his profile is consistent with that found at the crime scene.
Authorities in Cincinnati alerted investigators in Campbell County, Kentucky, where Blankenship was a long-time resident. As a result of their investigation, Blankenship was charged for sexual assaults on six further victims. Three of the victims were adults, and two were around twelve years old. Prosecutors have not stated whether they have DNA evidence in these cases.
The final victim, described as being between 12-14 years of age, was known to Blankenship who groomed the child over a period of two years from about 1989 to 1991. He is charged with statutory rape in connection with this victim, who has come forward only recently.
On February 10, 2023, Blankenship pled guilty in Hamilton County to three counts of rape; in exchange, the other charges against him in that jurisdiction were dismissed.
Sources:
Eden, Jessie. “Campbell County Man Linked to 3 Cold Cases in OH, May be Linked to More in NKY.” Fort Thomas Matters, February 13, 2020. Accessed December 11, 2020. http://www.fortthomasmatters.com/2020/02/campbell-county-man-linked-to-3-cold.html.
Fox 19 News. “Live Press Conference.” Facebook, July 29, 2021. Accessed December 28, 2021. https://www.facebook.com/FOX19Cincinnati/videos/881641349115903.
Ingram, Angela. “Suspect Indicted in Hamilton County Cold Case Rapes Dating Back to 1999.” Local 12 News, February 11, 2020. Accessed December 11, 2020. https://local12.com/news/local/suspect-indicted-in-hamilton-county-rapes-dating-back-to-1999-cincinnati.
Jordan, Felicia. “Man Charged for Serial Rape Cases in Two Counties Pleaded Guilty to Hamilton County Charges.” WCPO ABC News 9 Cincinnati, February 10, 2023. Accessed February 11, 2023. https://www.wcpo.com/news/local-news/hamilton-county/man-charged-for-serial-rape-cases-in-two-counties-pleaded-guilty-to-hamilton-county-charges.
Keller, Aaron. “Alleged Serial Rapist of Women and Girls Charged with 37 Crimes Dating Back to 1987 in Two Different States.” Law & Crime, July 29, 2021. Accessed December 28, 2021. https://lawandcrime.com/crime/alleged-serial-rapist-of-women-and-girls-charged-with-37-crimes-dating-back-to-1987-in-two-different-states/.
Mitchell, Madeline, and Kevin Grasha. “‘He’s a Pig.’ Deters Says 20-Year-Old Serial Rape Case Solved Using Genealogy Site.” Cincinnati Enquirer, February 11, 2020. Accessed December 11, 2020. https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/crime/crime-and-courts/2020/02/11/hes-pig-deters-says-20-year-old-serial-rape-case-solved-using-genealogy-site/4726302002/.
Rae-Venter, Barbara. Personal Communication. January 3, 2024.
WCPO Staff. “Prosecutor: DNA Obtained from Ancestry Site Closes 20-Year-Old Rape Case.” WCPO News, February 11, 2020, last modified February 14, 2020. Accessed December 11, 2020. https://www.wcpo.com/news/crime/live-hamilton-county-prosecutor-holding-press-conference-on-a-cold-case.