Suspect identified in 1988 kidnapping, sexual assault, and fatal strangulation of teen
12/04/2024 11:55 am PST
PIERCE COUNTY, Wash. (TCN) -- Investigators recently identified a suspect who allegedly kidnapped, raped, and killed a teen over three decades ago and left her nude body in a river.
On Aug. 28, 1988, deputies with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department responded to the Puyallup River near Sumner after fishermen located a deceased female victim. An autopsy determined she died of asphyxia caused by strangulation and probable smothering, and her death was ruled a homicide. She had also reportedly sustained multiple blunt force injuries and was possibly sexually assaulted.
According to the sheriff’s office, using dental records, investigators later identified the victim as 18-year-old Tracy Whitney.
At the time, authorities learned Whitney was last seen at a Burger King arguing with her ex-boyfriend, and she was found deceased less than 24 hours later. Detectives interviewed multiple people, but the case went cold for years.
In 2005, investigators entered the suspect DNA into the Combined DNA Index System, but no matches were found. In 2022, authorities then submitted the DNA evidence to Parabon NanoLabs to perform genetic genealogy testing in hopes of identifying a suspect.
According to the sheriff’s office, investigators identified John Guillot Jr. as a possible suspect, but he had died a few weeks prior from cancer and had been cremated. Detectives were able to obtain DNA from the suspect’s son and confirmed Guillot Jr. was a match. Authorities believe there were no connections between Whitney and Guillot Jr. and called it a "stranger abduction, rape, and murder."
In a statement, Whitney’s sister said the victim was a "good big sister. She has been really missed throughout my lifetime. It was really hard growing up without a sister, but I’m just happy we have finally found who did this, and she can rest peacefully."
The victim's father, Ronald Whitney, told KING-TV, "It's something that never leaves your mind. Every day I don't think the grief will ever go away. It's the first thing I think about in the morning. It's the last thing I think about at night."
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