Suspect identified in major 42-year-old cold case murder of New Hampshire woman

Laura Kempton was 23 when she was murdered A murder case left unsolved for more than 40 years has been blown wide open after genetic genealogy uncovered a new suspect, the New Hampshire Attorney General has confirmed. Discovered by a police officer attempted to serve her a court summons, Laura Kempton was 23 years old when she was found dead in her Portsmouth home in September 1981. An autopsy completed at the time found she died from ‘massive trauma’ to the side of her head, but since then her case has gone cold. Now, New Hampshire Attorney General John M. Formella has confirmed samples taken from her remains have been used to identify a suspect. Genetic genealogy compares unidentified DNA to other DNA in genealogy databases to help identify suspects. Lee was identified as the killer through extensive genetic testing DNA samples linking the killer to Kempton’s death were found on her body, on a pillow case and cigarette end left at her apartment. Investigators have now concluded Ronney James Lee was responsible for the 1981 murder. Aged 21 when Kempton was killed, Lee died in 2005 aged 45 due to acute cocaine intoxication. Fornella confirmed that if he were still alive police would be seeking charges of first-degree murder against him. A report on the case details that investigators identified Lee from another person’s DNA who had similar genetic make up to what was found at the crime scene. Through this process they managed to identify Lee’s parents, determining they shared only one biological son which was Lee. Having had an autopsy performed after his death, authorities were able obtain his DNA from a blood card. Testing conducted across 2022 and 2023 showed the DNA from the blood card matched that found at the scene of Kempton’s death. SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Trending