Ventura PD solves 33-year-old cold case homicide
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- Опубліковано 12 вер 2024
- After over three decades, the Ventura Police Department (VPD) has made a significant breakthrough in the 1991 murder case of Danielle Clause. Using advanced forensic genetic genealogy techniques, law enforcement has identified Larry Devon Welch as the perpetrator, which is a pivotal moment in resolving this long-standing mystery.
“Through extensive collaboration with local and national law enforcement agencies and nonprofits, it’s with great pride that I share this success story,” said Ventura Police Chief Darin Schindler. “From the initial investigation in 1991 to recent advancements in forensic techniques, I’m honored to highlight the perseverance of detectives as they continued to seek justice for the victim and her family.”
On July 16, 1991, the body of 42-year-old Clause was found on the hillside located at the top of Tioga Drive near downtown Ventura. The autopsy showed that she had been sexually assaulted and had died due to multiple blunt-force injuries to her head. Once investigators at the time explored every avenue, the case was suspended and considered cold.
In 2021, Ventura Police detectives and forensic specialists retested crime scene evidence for DNA. Forensic genetic genealogy was pursued, and a family tree was developed. Phenotyping was used to verify distinct characteristics of the suspect, and after collecting family DNA samples, Larry Welch was positively identified.
Welch passed away in 1999. There was no known connection between Welch and Clause at the time of her murder.
“My sister was so much more than a victim of a brutal murder. She was artist, a daughter, a sister, a mother, and a wife. She was a good person with a mighty soul, and she was taken way too young,” shared Marcie Forte, Danielle’s sister. “I didn’t really believe that the police were going to solve this, because there are other crimes being committed all the time. I was proven wrong because the Ventura Police and everyone associated with this cold case did a phenomenal job and I am so grateful. I’m so grateful that I lived to see at least a meter of justice and that they found out who did this.”
The Ventura Police Department’s unwavering commitment to securing justice for victims and their families endures, regardless of the elapsed time. Presently, VPD has over 25 cold cases, spanning homicides, missing persons, and unidentified deceased individuals.
For more information about each case, visit CityofVentura.ca.gov/ColdCases. If you have any new information, please email coldcase@venturapd.org.
Great work by all involved. Thank you for not giving up on the cold cases.
Nice to know the family can rest a little better knowing he isn’t hurting anyone else!
Hopefully, you or a family member never experience a violent crime first hand. Because if they do you we realize without a professional, attention to detail investigation, such as Det. Auldridge conducted which allowed the follow up DECADES later, facts and clues and evidence may be missed, ignored, collected improperly and stored or booked improperly for longevity so that your science can solve it single handily. In other words, grow up. Sometimes, silence is golden.
Amazing work from the crime scene personnel to the entire dna teams!
You're kidding me, right?!
Good to see credit given to those involved in solving this crime.
Genetic genealogy really is a powerful tool.
I found it interesting that Larry and Danielle shared the same birthday- July 24th. She was born in 1948, and he was born in '49. The horrific crime(s) took place nine days before their shared birthday.
no pic of perp
Ya we always want to see what the monster looked like
Google Larry Devon Welch Ventura scroll down until you see "find a grave" there is an obit pic.
What's so scary is how normal he looks. He wasn't homeless. He looks like anyones' neighbor. Looks like he would fit right into a local business and someone everyone knew.
Yes. They should be shown and shamed
@@Dane3804 - I noticed something rare/odd. Both Danielle, and Larry were born on July 24th. Her in 1948, and him in 1949. The horrific crime happened 9 days before their birthday's.
Way to go, Ventura PD. Keep your energy-level up. Cheers!
One of the cases that haunted me during my time as DA; congratulations and thanks to the VP for never giving up, a great professional organiztion...
Great team work! DNA is amazing... I wish all police had enough money to solves these cases..😊
Incredible work. God bless you all.
Great work guys! God bless you!
Ventura City Police Dept annual budget is $40 million. Hard to believe they couldn't spring for $8,000 to solve a murder. What's more important than that?
All that money is allocated for overtime pay, high tech cop toys and 4k body cameras that they conviently forget to turn on when they are accused of negligence.
@@naswiippmust have been denied a position on a LE force.
@@naswiipp says the person who would probably complain if they only got 1080p body cameras.....
Quit complaining
@@alysononoahu8702 when I quit paying taxes I'll quit complaining. Quit being bossy.
I would think you should show the murderer !
Why? He is dead. You have no need to see what he looks like.
Both families -- the victim's and perp's - don't need to open wounds to satisfy your morbid curiosity.
How did Larry Welch die ? Suicide ? Addiction ? Did he do more crimes ? It’s sucks that they don’t tell us !
I have a friend that was murdered when she was 14 years old, to this day it’s still unsolved to this day. It’s now 2024
Awesome work!!
For real?!
I find it unfortunate that the PD has to reach out to no-profits for "extra" funding to solve cases. The police should not have to wait for a grant in order to solve a case.
Impressive account and story; well done to all the law enforcement and investigators on this. 🏆🏆
Thank you for solving this horrific crime. God bless Marcie and Danielle's children. 💖
Gabrielle Wimer misspoke when she said that law enforcement uploads DNA to all genealogy websites. In fact, they only use two: GedMatch and Gene/FTDNA. Both websites give users the choice of whether or not to allow law enforcement to use their DNA.
This issue will likely end up at the Supreme Court. Top genealogy experts have found unintentional "back doors" leading to finding DNA of people who OPTED OUT of sharing their DNA with law enforcement.
That killer has a creepy Ted Bundy vibe, just oozing with all that fake charisma.
He looks like Larry from Threes Company TV Show....also a creep
Great work by the Police. DNA is a miracle.
Finally! This police department needs help, for real.
Chief you and your team need to write a manual for national distribution on interaction with the public and community based policing in general.
I cannot think of another agency that matches VPD in this respect. This has nothing to do with this case but these types of videos, the social media use, changes the way people view your officers and staff. Your team to me are my neighbors, some I know personally it makes a big difference. Most of all my sons 7 & 10 see it and they have a very positive and trusting attitude toward police officers, they see you as people who are friendly and approachable.
There are so many agencies that would benefit from VPDs experience in this regard.
Is that up where the cross was ? I have a story but a Ventura police officer did it so my story lives with me.
Mighty Soul! AMEN!
A police department - in California of all places - begging for $8k from a nonprofit to solve a murder case. Then bragging about their success. I wonder what their budget is for writing parking tickets and minor infraction$? This is shameful
LOL. Agreed. i said the same thing.
Get to the point
OK. Leave.
Thanks for not giving up
How many innocent citizens have been falsely arrested and/or brought up on false charges by your PD over the same period?
You should launch an investigation into your suspicions and get back with us…
@@FIGGY65 Not like you would scrutinize your home team, right?
DING,DING,DING!! MAGIC****33**** SPELLCASTED,WAITING ON RESULTS,DING,DING,DING!!
The lady moving her hands around while talking is very distracting
Don't look.
She's annoying...
Not really solved
They blaming a dead guy
"Incredible" ... find another word, geeze.
Hard to believe police don't have the $ to move a murder case forward!
so money stops cops from investigating......shouldn't our government fund a department to handle all DNA tests or geology testing for the police...without them worrying about cost
@@warriordog4094 we already have the highest taxes in the nation. Obviously money isn't the problem - spending is the problem.
Who lived in the area where the murder occurred?
👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼🙏🏼
Didn’t they say he was killed? How did he die?
Search engine?
Did Ventura PD solve it or did DNA solve it?
Both.
There needs to be a federal DNA agency set up where police who don't have funding can get DNA tested it's ridiculous in this day and age that police can't afford to solve murder cases.
Cheers extended for Misty.
Thank You VENTURA POLICE DEPARTMENT Keep up The Fine Work
Ventura been there!
What about their long lost brother in that asylum? Could be him?.....could be
FIRST it'a about the TECHNOLOGY - - THEN it's about the MONEY!
Just the Facts. Ma'm!
Still - - GREAT WORK!
Ditch the kindergarten-level hand talking
Funny, you understood what she was saying.😂😂
Cold comfort. This genetic dna process has been available for YEARS.
Crime Junkie helper fund the testing, I’m so proud to be part of that community.
👍🏾
Seen by eyewitnesses with her, and by another circling around in the truck? Kinda sounds as if the case was treated like just another dead hookah back in the 80s. I don’t blame um, that 8k could’ve actually went to something useful.
Danielle Clause, any relation to Santa? 🎅
You any relation to Darwin?
Wimer Be Careful. They keep typing WIM over word woman in my emails!
You mean, SCIENCE solved the case... again.
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