Man shot by police identified as killer of Ohio woman after 43 years
- A cold case of a young waitress's murder that went unsolved for over four decades was reopened in 2021 using advanced DNA technology.
- Investigators linked the DNA findings to James Vanest, Miller's former neighbor, who had been previously interviewed but not identified as a suspect.
- Authorities were able to identify the killer, ultimately leading to Vanest's confrontation with law enforcement, after which he was fatally shot.
In Columbus, Ohio, the cold case of Debra Lee Miller, an 18-year-old waitress brutally beaten to death in 1981, was solved through advances in DNA technology. On April 29, 1981, Miller was found in her apartment, having been killed with an oven grate. For over four decades, her murder remained unsolved, but the local police reopened the investigation in 2021 utilizing enhanced forensic techniques. As a result, a DNA profile was generated, leading them to James Vanest, who lived in the upstairs apartment at the time and had previously been questioned but never regarded as a suspect due to police misconduct allegations. During the re-investigation, it was discovered that Vanest had lied during his initial interview and was trying to create an alibi regarding the DNA found at the crime scene. This prompted authorities to prepare a case against him, intending to present it to a grand jury. However, Vanest evaded law enforcement by selling his house and fleeing to West Virginia, where he was later indicted on federal gun charges by the ATF. On November 18, 2021, U.S. Marshals attempted to arrest him at a motel, leading to a confrontation where Vanest was fatally shot after pointing a gun at the officers. The Mansfield Police Department hopes that identifying Miller's killer will finally provide her family with the closure they have sought for over four decades. This long-delayed justice highlights not only the advancements in forensic science but also the persistent dedication of law enforcement to seek justice for cold cases.