Current:Home > MyPolice arrest 75-year-old man suspected of raping, killing woman in 1973 cold case-LoTradeCoin
Police arrest 75-year-old man suspected of raping, killing woman in 1973 cold case
View Date:2024-12-25 10:22:12
DNA evidence has led California authorities to arrest a man linked to a cold homicide case that went unsolved for more than 50 years.
Michael Eugene Mullen, 75, was arrested for the murder of Nina "Nadine" Fischer, a Swedish national who was sexually assaulted and killed in her San Rafael, California, home while her husband was at work during the day in November 1973, according to the Marin County Sheriff''s Office.
Fischer's husband, Gunnar, discovered her naked body had multiple gunshot wounds, according to the AP and SFGate. In addition, the victim's hands were tied, and her mouth gagged.
Her 2-year-old was in the home with no injuries. The incident occurred amid the couple's plans to move back to Sweden. According to the reports, despite questioning movers and an assessor, the case went cold.
More cold cases:73-year-old ex-trucker faces 3 murder charges in 1977 California strangulations
New lead results in arrest
Decades later, in 2021, the investigation was revitalized. The Marin County Sheriff's Office investigations division transferred the case to the California Department of Justice’s Familial Search Program, and just months later, the agency provided a lead that prompted a three-year investigation.
Their findings led to Mullen's arrest for Fischer's murder on Wednesday, August 14. He was transported to the Lemhi County Jail in Idaho and is set to be extradited to California. Speaking to SFGate, Sgt. Adam Schermerhorn said that Fischer and Mullen didn't appear to know one another.
According to the Marin County Sheriff's Office, the case was solved using DNA. At the time, Mullen reportedly lived in Sonoma, which about about 27 miles from San Rafael.
"The Marin County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Idaho State Police, Lemhi County Sheriff’s Office, Marin County District Attorney’s Office, California Department of Justice, and Federal Bureau of Investigation for the countless investigative hours and perseverance to bring closure to this case," the sheriff's office said in a statement.
San Rafael is about 18 miles from San Francisco.
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at [email protected].
veryGood! (899)
Related
- 2025 NFL Draft order: Updated first round picks after Week 10 games
- The future cost of climate inaction? $2 trillion a year, says the government
- Russian lawmakers approve ban on gender-affirming medical care
- Kim Jong Un's sister says North Korea warplanes repelled U.S. spy plane, threatens shocking consequences
- Man jailed after Tuskegee University shooting says he fired his gun, but denies shooting at anyone
- An estimated 45,000 people have been displaced by a cyclone in Madagascar
- COVID outbreak on relief ship causes fears of spread in Tonga
- John Mayer Reveals His New Thoughts on His Song Paper Doll Rumored to Be About Taylor Swift
- Georgia remains part of College Football Playoff bracket projection despite loss
- 7 bombs planted as trap by drug cartel kill 4 police officers and 2 civilians in Mexico, officials say
Ranking
- Ben Foster files to divorce Laura Prepon after 6 years, according to reports
- Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds Step Out Hand-in-Hand for Cozy NYC Stroll
- Is The Real Housewives of Las Vegas Coming to Bravo? Andy Cohen Says...
- Monica Aldama Teases What's Next for Cheer's Biggest Stars
- College Football Playoff snubs: Georgia among teams with beef after second rankings
- Hot weather could be getting in the way of good sleep, a new study finds
- Matthew Koma Reacts After Fan Mistakes Wife Hilary Duff for Hilary Swank
- Carlos Alcaraz defeats Novak Djokovic in epic Wimbledon showdown
Recommendation
-
'Underbanked' households more likely to own crypto, FDIC report says
-
London police apologize to family for unsolved 1987 ax murder of private investigator Daniel Morgan
-
Cary Elwes Addresses Possibility of a Princess Bride Reboot
-
Lili Reinhart Reveals New Romance With Actor Jack Martin With Passionate Airport PDA
-
Republican Vos reelected as Wisconsin Assembly speaker despite losing seats, fights with Trump
-
TikToker Dylan Mulvaney Speaks Out Amid Criticism of Her Brand Partnerships
-
Unprecedented ocean temperatures much higher than anything the models predicted, climate experts warn
-
Another Game of Thrones Prequel Series Officially Coming to HBO: Get the Details