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DNA solves 18-year-old Utah murder

By The Associated Press
Sep 20, 2013

’
This undated image provided by the Wasatch County (Utah) Sheriff s Office shows Joseph Michael Simpson. Simpson
accused of the murder of Krystal Lynn Beslanowitch, 17, whose body was found Dec. 6, 1995, near Midway, Utah. (AP
Photo/Wasatch County Sheriff s Office) ’
’
AP, Wasatch County Sheriff s Office

MIDWAY-- An 18-year-old murder mystery in the death of a girl has been solved with the help of a
DNA lab and the arrest of a suspect, officials said.

The bloodied and broken body of 17-year-old Krystal Lynn Beslanowitch was found Dec. 6, 1995,
along the Provo River near Midway.

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6/9/2021 DNA solves 18-year-old Utah murder | Police & Fire | standard.net

Wasatch County Sheriff Todd Bonner flew out to Sarasota County, Fla., and helped arrest Joseph
Michael Simpson on Tuesday.

The 46-year-old Simpson, formerly of Clearfield, was being held on suspicion of aggravated
murder.

He waived extradition and will be brought to Utah within weeks to stand trial. Bonner expects
charges will be filed soon in Utah's 4th District Court.

In 1995, authorities said Beslanowitch was originally from Spokane, Wash., and had been in Utah
for only five months before her murder.

It wasn't immediately clear how the suspect and victim might have known each other. Chief
Wasatch County Deputy Jared Rigby says Simpson was not a boyfriend.

Bonner, the lead investigator on the case originally, said at a news conference Thursday that he
was thrilled at the arrest, according to a report in the Salt Lake Tribune.

"It's a case that's haunted me for almost my whole career," he said.

Bonner added that Beslanowitch's mother and step-father were relieved at the news.

After years of dead-end leads, DNA technology improved and last January, investigators finally
got a match on Simpson from evidence at the scene.

To corroborate the evidence, Bonner and another detective flew to Florida on Aug. 25, and were
able to get a new DNA sample from him from a discarded cigarette without his knowledge. The
paper said a test proved another match.

On Tuesday morning, Bonner, Wasatch County detectives and Florida investigators arrested him
without incident.

The sheriff said Simpson wouldn't talk to investigators about the case.

The paper said Simpson was charged with second-degree felony murder in 1987 and pleaded
guilty two months later, according to Utah court documents.

He was paroled from the Utah State Prison in April 1995, and was free at the time of
Beslanowitch's slaying, according to Utah Board of Pardons and Parole records.

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