COLUMBUS, Minn. (KMSP) -
The Anoka County sheriff's office says new DNA evidence matches the profile of one "person of interest" in the 1987 murder of a woman found dead on the side of the road in Columbus, Minn.
Investigators say the DNA isn't a strong enough piece of evidence to file charges, or to even label the person of interest as a suspect, but they hope renewed interest in the case could bring someone forward with information not provided in 1987.
On the morning of December 2, 1987, someone driving along Lake Drive in Columbus found the naked body of 40-year-old Armonjean Mason on the side of the road and called 911.
It was determined that Mason had been murdered by strangulation, but she had also been struck in the head with a blunt object and had puncture wounds on her chest. Ligature marks on her wrists and ankles indicated that she was tied up before her death.
During the investigation in 1987 and 1988, five potential persons of interest were found, but leads and evidence dried up and no charges were ever filed.
"It is important for law enforcement to remain vigilant, even as leads on cases diminish," Anoka County Sheriff James Stuart said. "The victim's family's need for justice never expires."
Members of the victim's family, along with sheriff's investigators, urged anyone with information to come forward during a press conference on Monday.
"I'm thinking -- and I'm hoping -- that this will be the day," said Diane Anderson, Mason's sister. "Someone out there knows something about what happened to my sister. She didn't deserve to die like this. No one deserves to die like this."
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Anoka County Sheriff's Office.
