BAY VILLAGE, Ohio (WJW) – For 35 years, a killer has remained free. Investigators, however, say new DNA testing is getting them closer to finding the person who murdered Amy Mihaljevic.
Bay Village police detective Jay Elish says new scientific testing is helping them find clues that were not available when Amy was kidnapped and murdered.
The 10-year-old went missing on Oct. 27, 1989, after she met an unknown man after school in a shopping plaza in Bay Village.
She had told others she was meeting a man who she thought was going to help her pick out a gift for her mother.
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When she didn’t return home that evening, she was reported as missing. Police began a massive search to find her, but she was never seen alive again.
No one has been arrested for her murder.
“Recently we tested her clothing and we were able to find male DNA on her sweatpants,” Elish said. “DNA on Amy’s sweatpants in specific areas where you would not find male DNA, that’s something we consider an incredible advancement in this case.”
The DNA sample was too small to get a profile, so investigators are hoping that in the near future new DNA testing will be available that will allow further testing on that sample.
There is more evidence detectives believe will help solve the case. Elish said there were several hairs recently found on a curtain and blanket they believe Amy was wrapped in when she was found in Ashland County.
“Those hairs are now currently with the FBI at their lab,” Elish said. “The next step will be going to one of these advanced testing sites that we utilize in California. Hopefully, we can get some DNA profiles off that.”
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Elish said they receive hundreds of call on the case each year.
“This case is so important,” Elish said. “Not only is it important to us at the police department, but for Amy’s family and Amy. We won’t give up.”
The Amy Mihaljevic Memorial Run & Walk is being held Saturday morning at Cahoon Park in Bay Village. The run and walk honors Amy and raises funds to help pay for the DNA testing.
Packet pick-up opens at 7:30 a.m. and the 5K memorial run starts at 9 a.m.
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