In 1988, the tragic discovery of 18-year-old Tracy Whitney's nude body in the Puyallup River near Sumner, Washington, sent shockwaves through the community. An autopsy revealed her cause of death to be asphyxia from strangulation and probable smothering, with several blunt force injuries and suspected sexual assault. She had last been seen leaving a Burger King after an argument with her ex-boyfriend. Despite extensive investigations and the collection of DNA samples, a suspect remained elusive for decades.

Decades of Unsolved Mystery

There were a multitude of suspects, including current and previous boyfriends. In 2005, the sheriff's office uploaded the DNA sample to the FBI's national genetic database, CODIS, but no results were obtained. The case seemed to reach a dead end until 2022 when a grant from the State Attorney General's Office allowed for genetic genealogy testing at Parabons NanoLab in Virginia. Five months later, the suspect was identified as John Guillot Jr. However, he had already passed away of cancer eight months before being connected to the crime and was cremated, so his DNA could not be directly compared. Instead, his son's DNA was obtained from the medical examiner's office and used for the comparison.

The Impact on Tracy's Family

Tracy's sister Robin, only 11 years old at the time of her sister's death, has carried the pain with her for years. Her father repeatedly visited the sheriff's office, hoping to reignite the investigation and bring her killer to justice. Robin shared with CNN that the overwhelming public support she and her family have received feels like a form of justice. "People are talking about her, and they remember her and they miss her," she said. But on the other hand, she added, "He didn't face the criminal process, so he got away with it." She continued, "I grieved her as a child, and now I'm grieving her as an adult. I'm allowing myself to feel all of it, though. It's uncomfortable and I'm sad, but it's an emotional relief that I needed."

The Journey to Justice

The long and arduous process of identifying Tracy Whitney's killer is a testament to the dedication of the Pierce County Sheriff's Department. From the initial discovery to the breakthrough in 2022, every step was crucial. The use of genetic genealogy testing opened up new possibilities and finally led to the identification of the suspect. Although John Guillot Jr. will never face criminal prosecution, the fact that his identity was uncovered brings some closure to Tracy's family and the community. It serves as a reminder of the importance of continued efforts in solving cold cases and providing justice for the victims and their families.