He was rushed to a local hospital about a month before that. The sketches depict what the suspect may have looked like at 25 years old as well as an age-progressed version. Linda O'Keefe, 11, vanished in July 1973 when she was heading home from school in Newport Beach. James Neal, 72, was arrested in Colorado Springs, Colo., and charged with murder with special circumstances in the death of Linda O'Keefe, who was found strangled in 1973, a case that has. To her familys horror, her dead body was found the next day in a ditch, still wearing the dress her mother had made for her. Colorado man arrested in case murder of 11-year-old girl - The Denver Post and opened doors for us to have this case pursued with renewed effort.". Neal said that despite his recidivism, he was confident he could become successful. An eight-page report prepared by McMillan offers for the first time clues about what may have driven his criminal behavior. We never gave up.". 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James Alan Neal, 72, was picked up in Colorado Springs on Tuesday and charged with the murder of 11-year-old Linda O'Keefe, Newport Beach police and Orange County prosecutors said. James Alan Neal, 72, was picked up in Colorado on Tuesday and charged with the murder of 11-year-old Linda O'Keefe in 1973. "I never really thought that they would actually ever find the individual responsible," Cindy Borgeson, a sister of Linda OKeefe, told ABC News. Lindas story deeply touched the hearts of our community. James Alan Neal fell ill and died while awaiting trial for the . Investigators would later learn that the girl had last been seen at an intersection, talking to a stranger in a turquoise van. The 11-year-old was described as a gentle, lovely soul. She loved animals, playing the piano, and painting. Linda O'Keefe murder: Police Twitter campaign helps lay a trap for the He feels he has always been picked on and never given a chance to better himself or be equal to others, Neal wrote in the report. His earliest crimes were breaking into homes when he was around 12-years-old. ", "I couldn't carry that burden in my heart of hating an individual even though he committed this horrible crime," she said. It was a difficult conversation . "That sample remained in the system for a long period of time," Spitzer said. All rights reserved. Police also want to know if Neal could be linked to other crimes. That DNA "hit" came in January, Spitzer said. Here at this jail, people want to give me a bad time. James Alan Neal, 72, was arrested in Colorado Tuesday for allegedly killing Linda O'Keefe, 11, and leaving her body in a ditch. "Just before midnight, 'a lady in the bluffs above Back Bay hears a female voice outside, screaming "Stop, you're hurting me," ' the police tweeted in O'Keefe's name. Then, in 1974, he was sent back to prison in Colorado for a parole violation and released three years later. Girl Was Stabbed 59 Times After Parting Ways with Boyfriend in 1982 and Suspect Was Just Arrested, to recount the story of Lindas life, mysterious disappearance and death. Investigators said he used to live in Southern California in the 1970s and was known as James Albert Layton Jr at the time, although he later moved to Florida and changed his name. He was arrested in Colorado Springs on Feb. 19. Composite sketch of the driver. Police also urged the public to share details about O'Keefe's disappearance on social media with the hashtag #Lindastory. The investigation into the homicide remained cold for 45 years until Virginia-based Parabon NanoLabs used DNA to identify Neal as a suspect in the killing, leading to his arrest last month in Colorado. I dont have any friends because Ive always been afraid to make any because I just figured they would only see me as everyone else has in the past.. Linda O'Keefe was killed in 1973 while walking home from school. The next day she was found strangled, her. "He seemed like a good guy," Neal's landlord, Michael Thulson,. And at the time of his arrest Neal had no income, savings or property except for a car that had been stolen in Springfield, Illinois, McMillan said. PRESS RELEASE: Linda OKeefe Homicide https://t.co/sSg9rjwXgH, Starting tomorrow at 7:45 am, #LindasStory will be told here, through our Twitter account. / CBS Colorado. For nearly 45 years, the murder of 11-year-old Linda O'Keefe haunted the Newport Beach Police Department in California. "The hit on the genealogical DNA came back and hit in January so it was very recent," Spitzer said. She was later found strangled to death and dumped in a ditch in Newport Beachs Back Bay. Scott has also worked at newspapers in Utah, Colorado, North Carolina and Virginia covering everything from methamphetamine trafficking cops to hurricanes. Linda O'Keefe. Neal, 72, was arrested in Colorado Springs, Colo., and charged with murder with special circumstances in the death of Linda O'Keefe, who was found strangled in 1973, a case that has long. Suspect in 1973 California rape and murder dies before trial | 9news.com Colorado man charged in 1973 Orange County cold case dies awaiting trial. Taking advantage of the latest in crime-solving techniques, in January, Spitzer said, they received a pointer indication through genealogical DNA.. Generations of investigators worked on her case, said Lewis. Combining the latest in DNA technology with old-fashioned detective work led investigators to Neal, Lewis said. Investigators identified Neal as a suspect using genealogical DNA. "Individuals who engage in sexual activity against minors tend to have certain indicators of a predatory nature," Spitzer said. Through the tireless efforts of generations of our investigators, we hope we have been able to bring a measure of closure to Lindas family, friends, and loved ones.. Authorities did not provide details on Neal's illness. In addition to the count of murder while committing lewd acts on a child, Neal was also accused of lewd acts against two other girls under the age of 14 in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Finally, in September 1965, he was arrested for yet another burglary but the charge was reduced to petty theft and ultimately dismissed. Linda O'Keefe murder: James Neal DNA match leads to arrest for 1973 Monument man mulls extradition in 1973 rape and murder of California [emailprotected]. On one hand, we were grateful that we could have that conversation and provide some closure.". Parabon used the DNA from the crime scene to predict the suspect's eye color, hair color and skin color. The 11-year-old was last seen on this street talking to a stranger in a van. Photo Source. Authorities did not elaborate on his death but said he was not exhibiting Covid-19 symptoms. She had been strangled. As part of an effort to renew interest in the case, the Newport Beach Police Department used their Twitter account to recount the story of Lindas life, mysterious disappearance and death. The Twitter campaign did not lead to the suspect's identification, but it did create an emphasis on the case and opened doors for the case to be pursued with renewed efforts, officials said. Having spent two years living in England including Liverpool, he is an avid Beatles fan and memorabilia collector. 5 facts about the Linda O'Keefe murder case - Sportskeeda Linda O'Keefe: DNA Leads to Arrest in 1973 Murder of Calif. Girl James Allen Neal. "Technology has caught up with the law," Spitzer said Wednesday. Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer announced the arrest of James Alan Neal in the 1973 murder of 11-year-old Linda Ann O'Keefe during a press conderence on Wednesday, February 20, 2019. 11-year-old Linda OKeefe was kidnapped on her way back from home in July 1973. He will ultimately benefit more from a state prison sentence.. James Neal (left) and Linda O'Keefe (right) (credit: CBS). James lived in the area around the time and worked in construction. The case stumped investigators for more than four decades before DNA evidence from the genealogical website FamilyTreeDNA tied Neal to the case. Their mother "carried that guilt the rest of her life," Borgeson said. "He has a connection to Southern California.". Neal worked in construction at the time of the crime, officials said. He is awaiting extradition from Colorado Springs to Orange County. He was always getting into fights and was always afraid to tell anyone how I really felt. . Her strangled body was found the next day. The child disappeared while walking home from summer. Photo Source. 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(Newport Beach Police Department) James Alan Neal, 73, who. But that day, she was dropped off. A man was arrested this week in the decades-old killing of Linda OKeefe, 11. He has not been able to relate well with other students, family members or inmates. After the slaying, Neal moved to Florida, where some sort of incident prompted him to change his name from James Albert Layton to James Alan Neal, authorities have said, declining to give specifics. James Neal had been living in California at the time of the girl's murder but had since moved to Colorado. James Alan Neal, 72, was picked up in Colorado on Tuesday and charged with the murder of 11-year-old Linda O'Keefe in 1973. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Linda O'Keefe was last seen alive in Corona Del Mar, California, in July 1973. It was not clear from records if he was convicted for those offenses. It was July 6, 1973, a Friday. For an optimal experience visit our site on . 1 dead, 1 rescued by firefighters after speeding car crashed into tree in Colorado Springs, Voice of the consumer: Looking for a job? Over 45 years ago, Linda went missing while. Her body was found the next morning in a ditch in the area of Newport Beachs Back Bay. "As you can imagine, this was difficult news to receive," Lewis said. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? latest news, feel-good stories, analysis and more, Doomsday mum unfazed by photos of daughters dismembered body shown to court, Five people including boy, 8, killed in execution-style shootings in Texas, Drunk woman fatally runs over man on a first date, Moment bear falls from tree onto tarp held by firefighters, Do not sell or share my personal information. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Man arrested in Monument for 1973 murder dies in custody While their parents did not live to see an arrest, Borgeson said, "I'm sure she [O'Keefe] and my parents are rejoicing.". At the time of the murder, Neal was using the name James Allen George Layton, prosecutors said. This photo shows a poster of James Neal during a news conference at the Orange County District Attorney's office in Santa Ana, Calif., Feb. 20, 2019. Both of O'Keefe's parents have since died, but the girl was survived by two sisters, whom police had contacted with updates about Neal's arrest. James Alan Neal fue arrestado el 19 de febrero de 2019, en relacin con su muerte, segn anunciaron los fiscales en una conferencia de prensa. This undated booking photo provided by the El Paso County, Colo., Sheriff's Office shows James Neal. ABC News' Kayna Whitworth contributed to this report. He was released from the penitentiary in July 1971. 48 Hours: Lindas Story delves into the work put in to arrest James Neal in relation to Lindas rape and murder. Neal was released from police custody on his own recognizance, fled California and was rearrested when he returned to the state on March 3, 1966. ), First published on March 29, 2019 / 6:44 PM. That night, family members, volunteers and police spread out to search for her. "We have heard from a number of her friends from when she was in school, and her death has touched so many people," Newport Beach police spokeswoman Jennifer Manzella said at the time. Spitzer lauded noted DNA investigator CeCe Moore for helping police develop a "pointer" toward Neal. Photo Source. for me personally. On July 6, 1973, 11-year-old Linda OKeefe disappeared while walking home from summer school in the southern California beachside town of Corona del Mar. Teen Was Murdered After Coming Home from Grocery Store in 1975, Coffee Cup Leads to Arrest, Calif. James Neal, 72, was arrested in Colorado Springs, Colo., and charged with murder with special circumstances in the death of Linda O'Keefe, who was found strangled in 1973, a case that has long shaken the seaside community of Newport Beach, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer said. I want to make up for all the hurt I have caused myself and my parents, especially my mother, Neal, who was 19 at the time and went by James Albert Layton Jr., told Orange County probation officer David R. McMillan in 1966 while awaiting sentencing for a burglary conviction. Have a tip or story idea? Lindas story deeply touched the hearts of our community. He worked odd jobs as a cook, factory worker, a floral delivery person, etc., but could never consistently hold down a job. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. The genealogical hit came in January, officials said. 1966 probation report describes man suspected, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), 1966 probation report describes man suspected of killing 11-year-old Linda OKeefe as emotionally disturbed, Whats new: Loma Villas apartments sell for $21.5M to investor, 4 dead in Mojave Desert community after shooting report, El Chapo sons send Mexico cartels cheap fentanyl into US, Sacramento Snapshot: Cities would need to include homeless-serving housing in state plans under new bill, after DNA analysis identified him as a suspect, Police hope vintage photo of man accused of murdering 11-year-old in 1973 will bring witnesses forward, Man charged with killing 11-year-old Linda OKeefe in 1973 cold-case murder in Newport Beach, How DNA and old-fashioned police work led to arrest in 1973 cold-case murder of 11-year-old Linda OKeefe, Newport Beach Police will use Twitter to tell story of 11-year-old homicide victim on 45th anniversary of her unsolved murder, Orange County restaurants shut down by health inspectors (April 20-27), More land sliding at Casa Romantica; residents evacuated, trains halted through San Clemente, Orange County Artist of the Year winners announced, Then and Now: Photos of Casa Romantica show damage caused by landside, Fire at Barnes & Noble in Orange disrupts book-signing event, The DMV says permission to drive is based on ability, but older drivers are scrutinized more, OC Marine who volunteered in Ukraine, survived rocket attack: I would do it again, Cold, drizzly week ahead for Southern California, A look at Orange Countys baseball teams and the CIF-SS playoffs, Joe Bidens re-election bid is off to a bad start, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Neal has been charged with one count of murder with the special circumstances of kidnapping and committing lewd and lascivious acts upon a child younger than 14, Spitzer said.
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