Chewing Gum Sting Solves Washington Cold Cases, Police Report

An investigator in Everett, Washington, has linked two longstanding cold case homicides to a suspect using an undercover operation designed to surreptitiously collect DNA from discarded chewing gum, according to reporting by CBS News.

Connecting the Cold Cases

The investigation focused on two unsolved killings in Washington state, identified in coverage from CBS News and its investigative program 48 Hours as the cases of Judy Weaver and Susan Vesey. A local detective reviewing the files was able to connect both historical homicides to a single individual, identified as Mitchell Gaff, who was described by authorities as a known predator.

While investigators successfully established investigative links connecting the suspect to the two killings, law enforcement required an updated and verifiable biological sample to corroborate the connection and move forward with formal criminal charges.

The Undercover DNA Strategy

Faced with the challenge of securing a suspect’s genetic profile without tipping off the target, investigators turned to an undercover tactic. According to CBS News, the lead detective helped organize a sting operation focused on obtaining a piece of chewing gum used by the suspect.

By retrieving the discarded gum, law enforcement specialists were able to extract a fresh DNA sample. That sample provided the genetic evidence necessary to compare against existing forensic profiles from the crime scenes.

Forensic Collection from Discarded Items

Law enforcement agencies across the United States have increasingly relied on abandoned DNA—genetic material left behind on items like cups, cigarette butts, and gum—to advance cold cases where direct voluntary sampling is unavailable or legally impractical prior to an arrest. Once an individual voluntarily discards an item in a public or accessible setting, investigators generally collect the property to extract biological material.

CBS News did not immediately publish the full operational specifics or exact timelines of the covert encounter in its initial summary, but confirmed that the tactical maneuver broke the impasse in the dual murder inquiry.

Case Status

The successful DNA retrieval enabled authorities to close the gap in the long-running investigation. Additional details regarding trial proceedings, charging schedules, or prior records were not detailed in the network’s preliminary report.

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p class=”vbgf-source-note”>Source: Home – CBSNews.com

Tags: Cold Cases · Crime Investigation · DNA Forensics · news · ViralBrief · Washington State