DNA from ancestry websites led to the arrest of the accused Golden State Killer, according to the district attorney.
Seventy-two-year-old Joseph James DeAngelo was arrested after authorities compared DNA collection from crime scenes to the information on the ancestry websites.
DeAngelo matched the DNA of a relative, the report said. Investigators zeroed in on DeAngelo, who lived on a quiet street in Citrus Heights.
DeAngelo is expected to appear in court on Friday.
Here is the full statement from the Sacramento County DA’s office:
“We can confirm that what Sam Stanton from the Bee reported today is accurate. It’s an ongoing investigation. We have given you as much information as we can at this time. No further information on this subject will be provided.” – Chief Deputy Steve Grippi
KRON4 reached out to genealogy sites Ancestry and 23andMe regarding customers’ privacy. Both companies denied any involvement in the investigation.
A spokesperson for Ancestry.com said:
We have not been in contact with law enforcement regarding the Joseph James DeAngelo case. Ancestry advocates for its members’ privacy and will not share any information with law enforcement unless compelled to by valid legal process.
A spokesperson for 23andMe said:
Broadly speaking, it’s our policy to resist law enforcement inquiries to protect customer privacy. 23andMe has never given customer information to law enforcement officials. Our platform is only available to our customers, and does not support the comparison of genetic data processed by any third party to genetic profiles within our database.
The long-time wanted killer is allegedly responsible for 12 homicides, almost 50 rapes and 120 home burglaries.
DeAngelo was arrested on Wednesday without incident.
He has been denied bail.