Queens Cold Case Solved: Murder Victim Identified After 33 Years Using DNA Technology

Judy Rodriguez, a mother of three missing since 1991, has been identified through advanced genetic genealogy, bringing closure to her family decades after her death.

Judy Rodriguez, a 30-year-old mother of three, disappeared in January 1991, shortly after her daughter's first birthday, and her skeletal remains were found months later in Queens, New York.
The victim's identity remained unknown for 33 years until advanced DNA testing and genealogical research confirmed her identity in 2024.
Four men, aged 18 to 20 at the time, were convicted in the early 1990s for their roles in Rodriguez's murder, despite her identity being unknown during the trial.
The breakthrough was made possible by collaboration between the Queens DA's Cold Case Unit, the NYPD, and private DNA labs, using public genealogy databases to trace family connections.
This case highlights the growing role of genetic genealogy in solving cold cases, with the Queens DA's office actively investigating nearly 50 other unidentified homicide victims.