Families Find Renewed Hope in Cold Cases with Advances in DNA Technology
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – Recent advancements in DNA technology have rekindled hope for families grappling with unresolved cold cases in Iowa. This comes on the heels of an arrest linked to a 1983 murder in Linn County, inspiring renewed optimism for those like Carolyn Pospisil, whose stepdaughter Erin went missing in 2001.
Erin Pospisil disappeared at the age of 15 after leaving a friend’s house in Cedar Rapids. She was last seen getting into a black 1990s Chevrolet Cavalier. Despite her mother and stepmother’s efforts, Erin’s case has remained unsolved, with no trace of her ever found. "I still have hope that at some point she’s going to walk through the door," Carolyn Pospisil shared, expressing the agony of not knowing her daughter’s fate after 24 long years.
The crucial issue in Erin’s case is the absence of collected DNA evidence at the time, as authorities classified her as a runaway. "We didn’t know to save her hair brush or to save her toothbrush," Carolyn lamented. Nevertheless, DNA samples from her parents are stored in a database, and there remains a glimmer of hope that this technology could someday lead to Erin’s discovery.
While Carolyn finds it difficult at times to remain optimistic, stories of successful resolutions in other cold cases help. She stated, “There’s always one more thing… This technology will be what finds her." The recent arrest following a cold case breakthrough has provided her some encouragement.
Anyone with information regarding Erin Pospisil’s disappearance is urged to contact the Cedar Rapids Police Department, as the search for answers continues.
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