The Pioneer Hill Serial Rapist, Kenneth Downing may have been apprehended by the Pullman Police Department after almost two decades. Downing, 47, of Elk, WA, was arrested utilizing new investigative techniques that included DNA forensic genetic genealogy.
The Washington State Patrol Crime Lab, City of Spokane Police Department, FBI – Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington State Attorney General, Whitman County Prosecutor’s Office, and Identifinders International are among those who contributed to the success of this investigation.
This cold case arrest was made possible because to DNA matches and evidence gathered at the time of the crimes.
Cold Case: Who Is Kenneth Downing?
Members of the Spokane Police Department Special Investigations Unit discovered and arrested Kenneth Downing, 47, at a Spokane job site where he works construction, at around 10:45 a.m. today, at the request of Pullman Police Department investigators.
This cold case arrest was made feasible because to DNA matches and evidence gathered at the time of the crimes. Forensic Genetic Genealogy was utilized to search current DNA profiles housed within genealogy sources, with funding from the Washington State Attorney General’s Office making the testing possible.
Two Pullman women reported a burglary in their house in March of 2004, during which one of the ladies was raped and the other was attacked. The Pullman Police Department undertook a comprehensive and rigorous investigation in both incidents, looking for the same perpetrator.
Unfortunately, at the time, no one was recognized. Officers, on the other hand, never gave up on the case, and new means of investigation became available.
According to authorities, a 47-year-old Elk, Washington man is now facing several felony charges related to a series of house invasions and sexual assaults that happened in Pullman between November 2003 and March 2004.
It’s important to remember, according to LeBeau, that a charge is just that: an allegation, and the defendant is deemed innocent until he’s proven guilty.
Pullman Rape Case Solved After 18 Years
Pullman police investigators have possessed a drawing of a face but no name of a guy who broke into many residences and sexually attacked female students 18 years ago for nearly two decades.
Police claim they put the individual in handcuffs this morning. Kenneth Downing, 47, was apprehended on a construction site in North Spokane.
On Friday, March 18, at 9:00 a.m., Downing will make his initial appearance in Whitman County Superior Court.
The arrest would not have been feasible without the Pullman Police Department’s unwavering dedication and efforts. The Spokane Police Department deserves special gratitude for their cooperation in this case. Until recently, detectives have been stumped by the mystery.
Kenneth Downing Arrest Chareges
Talking about Kenneth Downing arrest charges, it would not have been feasible without the Pullman Police Department’s unwavering dedication and efforts. The Spokane Police Department deserves special gratitude for their cooperation in this case.
Downing has been charged with four charges of first-degree rape, one case of indecent liberties, two counts of first-degree burglary, three counts of assault in the second degree, and three counts of illegal confinement in connection with both events in Whitman County Superior Court.
After 18 years, the Pullman Police Department, Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratory, Spokane Police Department, Identifinders International LLC, Whitman County Prosecutor’s Office, FBI, and the Washington State Attorney General’s Office are working together to bring long-awaited justice to the victims of these assaults.
In November of 2003, a Pullman lady reported her home had been broken into and she had been raped.