Man arrested in 1979 cold case rape and death of woman found in parking lot
03/19/2025 12:59 pm PDT
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, Md. (TCN) -- Authorities recently arrested and charged an 82-year-old North Carolina man on suspicion of sexually assaulting and killing a 31-year-old Virginia woman and leaving her body in a parking lot over four decades ago.
According to the Prince George’s County Police Department, on March 3, 1979, a passerby discovered Kathryn Donohue’s body while walking in the 8400 block of Hamlin Street and called police. Officers responded and launched an investigation into Donohue’s rape and death, but the case remained unsolved for decades.
With advancements in DNA and genetic genealogical testing, the FBI Baltimore Field Office was able to identify a relative of the unknown male suspect in 2024. Investigators later named Rodger Brown as the primary suspect in the case.
With help from the Moore County Sheriff’s Office in North Carolina and the FBI Charlotte Field Office, police announced March 18 that Brown was arrested at his home in Pinehurst, North Carolina. Officers said, "There is no known connection between the victim and suspect."
Brown faces charges of first-degree murder, rape, and other related offenses. He remains held in North Carolina and will be extradited back to Prince George’s County.
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