UPDATE ON KATIE'S CASE

In December of 2006, the New Mexico DNA database matched the unknown DNA profile found under Katie’s fingernails to a man recently included on the database. Gabriel Avilla had been arrested in November 2003, less than three months after Katie was killed, on aggravated burglary charges for breaking into the home of two women after watching them through a window. He was convicted in March 2004, but was released on bond before sentencing and promptly disappeared. Authorities recaptured Avilla in August 2005 and incarcerated him. His DNA was finally taken, and a positive match was made to Katie’s case in December of 2006. Upon learning of the match, Avilla confessed to the rape and murder of Katie and was formally charged on December 26 — which happened to be Katie’s 26th birthday.

If New Mexico had required a DNA sample for Avilla’s felony arrest in November of 2003, Katie’s murder would have been solved three years sooner, saving thousands of dollars in investigation costs and saving her friends and family years of unnecessary limbo as they sought closure. More importantly, Avilla would have remained in police custody rather than being released on bond only to flee justice. Avilla’s activities are largely unaccounted for during the time he was missing. We may never know if there were other lives that he jeopardized, or other crimes that he committed. What we do know is that DNA upon arrest has the power to bring closure to victims of crime, solve crimes, save lives, and absolve the innocent.

In May of 2007, Avilla pled guilty to the rape and murder of Katie Sepich and is now serving 69 years without parole.

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