DNA cracks 40-year cold case mystery with arrest in library worker’s savage slaying: police

Nearly 4 decades to the nonstop day a 22-year-old Virginia pistillate was murdered, authorities person announced an apprehension successful the acold case. 

Charles Berry, 66, of Newington, Connecticut, was taken into custody Monday successful transportation with the 1986 rape and execution of Roberta Walls, the Newington Police Department said successful a statement. 

The apprehension was made successful coordination with the Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD), which issued an apprehension warrant for charges related to the Virginia Beach homicide, constabulary said. 

The lawsuit began connected May 15, 1986, erstwhile Walls’ assemblage was discovered successful a tract down Old Donation Elementary School, according to VBPD.

SEND US A TIP HERE 

Roberta Walls was murdered successful Virginia Beach, Va., connected May 15, 1986, according to the Virginia Beach Police Department. (Virginia Beach Police Department)

Authorities antecedently said 22-year-old Walls was recovered "with evident signs of trauma owed to a convulsive assault." 

FOLLOW THE FOX TRUE CRIME TEAM ON X

She suffered aggregate stab wounds and had been raped during the attack, WAVY-TV reported.

LISTEN TO THE NEW 'CRIME & JUSTICE WITH DONNA ROTUNNO' PODCAST

Charles Berry, 66, of Newington, Connecticut, was taken into custody Monday successful transportation with the 1986 rape and execution of Roberta Walls, the Newington Police Department said successful a statement. (Newington Police Department)

Police antecedently revealed she was past seen live astatine the Bayside Public Library the nighttime earlier her murder, which is located crossed the thoroughfare from wherever her assemblage was discovered.

COLD CASE BREAKTHROUGH SOLVES TEEN KILLING AFTER SUSPECT LIVED FREE FOR DECADES: 'BETTER BE AFRAID'

Roberta Walls' assemblage was discovered successful a tract down Old Donation Elementary School, according to the Virginia Beach Police Department. (Google Maps)

Walls reportedly was an worker astatine the room and was leaving enactment to conscionable with friends erstwhile she disappeared.

LIKE WHAT YOU'RE READING? FIND MORE ON THE TRUE CRIME HUB

In 2017, authorities received backing to usage DNA samples preserved from Walls’ assemblage to compile a composite representation of a idiosyncratic of interest, the outlet reported. 

SIGN UP TO GET TRUE CRIME NEWSLETTER

Following his arrest, Berry was transported to the New Britain Superior Court successful Connecticut connected Tuesday arsenic helium awaits extradition, according to authorities.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

He was subsequently indicted by a expansive assemblage "in transportation to Robert Walls’ [murder]," FOX 61 reported. His bail has been acceptable astatine $2 million  by the Connecticut court. 

Fox News Digital reached retired to the Virginia Beach Police Department for comment.