DNA breakthrough leads to arrest in 1990s Alberta sexual assault

After nearly 34 years, RCMP say a cold-case sexual assault east of Edmonton has finally been cracked thanks to a modern genetic genealogy technique that linked old DNA to a suspect’s family tree.

Alberta Mounties announced they have arrested and charged a Two Hills man in connection with a violent sexual assault that happened in June 1992.

At the time, investigators said a woman was attacked at knifepoint inside her home while her children were present. Despite DNA being collected at the scene, no suspect was ever identified.

Over the years, investigators continued to revisit the evidence, hoping new technology might offer a breakthrough.

That break came recently, when officers submitted the decades‑old DNA for analysis using investigative genetic genealogy, a method that compares crime‑scene DNA to profiles already in the system to identify potential relatives of a suspect.

RCMP Cpl. Mathew Howell says that’s exactly what happened.

“If that DNA’s in the system, they might see it’s very close to the DNA from this crime in the ’90s. But that person wasn’t born yet,” Howell explained. “So they’ll look around in that family tree and see who could have potentially committed the crime.”

A relative of the suspect had been convicted of an unrelated crime, placing their DNA in the national database and giving investigators the lead they needed.

RCMP have now charged 65‑year‑old Leonard Peter Paulencu, of Two Hills, with sexual assault with a weapon and break and enter to commit an indictable offence.

Howell says the arrest underscores the commitment investigators have to solving historic crimes, no matter how much time has passed.

“It’s something that has been proven in many recent cases to help in investigations where there is a historic component, or family DNA that is close enough to the DNA found at a crime scene,” he said.

Police say they hope the development sends a message to victims and the public that they never stop looking for answers.