Forensic science has the power to solve even the most perplexing crimes, sometimes decades after they occur. One such fascinating case is the murder of Sarah Yarborough, an 18-year-old high school student from Washington, who was brutally killed in 1991. The case went cold for nearly 30 years—until a single strand of hair helped investigators find her murderer.
The Crime Scene & Investigation Begins
On December 14, 1991, Sarah Yarborough left her home early to attend a drill team competition at her high school in Federal Way, Washington. When she didn’t arrive, concern grew. Hours later, her body was discovered near the school parking lot in a wooded area. She had been sexually assaulted and strangled.
- Witnesses described seeing a suspicious man near the scene, but no one could identify him.
- Initial forensic testing provided little information due to the limitations of DNA analysis at the time.
- The case quickly went cold, despite the best efforts of investigators.
Forensic Breakthroughs
- Hair Analysis & DNA Profiling
- In 2019, forensic scientists revisited the evidence using advanced DNA technology.
- A single strand of hair recovered from Sarah’s body was tested using genetic genealogy, a method that had never been available before.
- This allowed investigators to construct a family tree of potential suspects based on distant relatives who had submitted their DNA to ancestry databases.
- Genetic Genealogy Investigation
- The forensic team used the suspect’s partial DNA to trace his lineage through public genealogy databases.
- After months of research, they identified Patrick Leon Nicholas as a possible suspect.
- Investigators collected a fresh DNA sample from him, which turned out to be an exact match to the DNA found on Sarah’s body.
The Arrest & Conviction
- In 2019, after nearly 28 years, Patrick Leon Nicholas was arrested and charged with Sarah’s murder.
- He had a history of sexual offenses, but his crimes had gone undetected for decades.
- During the trial, forensic experts explained how a single hair strand, preserved for years, ultimately led to his arrest.
- He was found guilty and sentenced to life in prison in 2022.
Sarah Yarborough case is a powerful example of how forensic science, particularly DNA technology and genetic genealogy, can bring justice even after decades. A single hair—once considered useless evidence—ended up solving one of Washington’s most baffling cold cases.
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