Ohio Man Accused Of Killing Woman In 1991 May Also Be Responsible For Second Murder 5 Years Later: Police

Authorities in Ohio said advances in DNA technology have led to the identification of a suspect in a 31-year-old cold case murder who may also be tied to a second unsolved slaying.

Deputies in Franklin County arrested Robert Edwards, 67, on an aggravated murder charge in connection with the June 1991 death of Alma Lake in Urbancrest.

According to court records obtained by WCMH, Edwards is also accused of sexually assaulting Lake, whose nude body was found lying outside in grass.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation was able to use forensic evidence from the scene to develop a DNA profile of Lake’s suspected killer, but detectives were unable to make a match with anyone and the case eventually went cold.

In 2020, the bureau’s Cold Case Unit reexamined evidence in the case using new technology and identified Edwards as a suspect in the case.

Investigators then obtained a search warrant for Edwards DNA.

Detectives believe the DNA profile allegedly may also tie Edwards to the November 1996 murder of a second woman, Michelle Dawson-Pass, in Licking County, according to WCMH.

Edwards has not been charged with her death.