2015/06/29

The Courant June 25, 2015: Problems At Lab Slowed Serial Killer Probe; Several Victims' DNA Found In Suspect's Van

Problems in the Connecticut state police crime lab delayed for at least four years the identification of a woman investigators think was killed by suspected serial killer William Devin Howell and hindered their ability to match several different samples of DNA found in Howell's van, The Courant has learned.

The DNA in Howell's van has since been linked to some of the victims whose remains were found in woods behind a Hartford Road strip mall in New Britain, sources with knowledge of the investigation told the Courant. With the investigation still ongoing, the sources declined to specify the exact number.

The problems at the state police lab, including a significant delay in matching the DNA of bones found in 2007 with the mother of one of the victims, were acknowledged by lab officials after inquiries from The Courant. more