# Chewing Gum Sting Solves Washington Cold Cases, Police Report

- Link: https://viralbrief.top/chewing-gum-sting-solves-washington-cold-cases-police-report/
- Published: 2026-10-18T07:45:37+00:00
- Author: Olamide

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.

<

p class=”vbgf-source-note”>**Source:** [Home – CBSNews.com](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/judy-weaver-susan-vesey-washington-cold-case-murders-mitchell-gaff-chewing-gum-dna-48-hours/)

  TL;DR (AI Generated)

An investigator in Everett, Washington, connected two longstanding cold case homicides
involving the killings of Judy Weaver and Susan Vesey to a suspect named Mitchell
Gaff.

Because law enforcement needed a fresh biological sample to corroborate the connection,
they organized an undercover sting operation to collect a piece of chewing gum discarded
by the suspect.

The successful retrieval and extraction of DNA from the discarded gum provided the
necessary genetic evidence to advance the murder inquiry.

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