PHOENIX (AP) - A man has been arrested in connection with the 1987 death of a woman who was beaten, sexually assaulted and set on fire by her attacker, Phoenix ploice said Wednesday.
They said 52-year-old Darron Miniefield was taken into custody Tuesday on suspicion of first-degree murder.
Police said 41-year-old Marilyn Johns was found in a Phoenix alley on Feb. 21, 1987. She was taken to a hospital for treatment for third-degree burns to over 85% of her body but died of her injuries the following month.
The said the case went cold until last year when the department’s homicide unit and crime laboratory began working with detectives from the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.
Investigators tracked down additional evidence which allowed them to develop probable cause that led to the arrest of Miniefield, who was 20 at the time of Johns’ death.
It was unclear Wednesday if Miniefield has a lawyer yet.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.