On June 22, 1988, two 11-year-old girls were sexually assaulted during a sleepover in a playhouse attic on a property in Port Angeles, Wash. Early that morning, an unknown male suspect forced entry into the attic, blocked their escape, physically assaulted them, and threatened harm if they resisted. The perpetrator then sexually assaulted both victims prior to fleeing the scene. The girls immediately sought help from a parent, and police were contacted.
Port Angeles Police Department officers and detectives responded promptly, conducting extensive searches, interviews and evidence collection. This included physical evidence such as photographs, latent prints, bedding, and an article of clothing believed to belong to the suspect, as well as biological samples from sexual assault examinations.
Initial investigative resources also included:
• A Clallam County Sheriff’s Office bloodhound search
• Neighborhood canvassing and street contacts
• Call-in tips and the creation of a composite sketch of the suspect
Despite pursuing dozens of leads, utilizing FBI profiling specialists, and submitting evidence for state and international fingerprint analyses, the case went cold for decades.
In 2001, a DNA profile from the suspect was uploaded to CODIS with no matches. In 2012, the DNA profile was submitted to Interpol to search against profiles in Canada’s database with no results.
In 2023, Port Angeles Police Department (PAPD) Detective Cpl. Erik Smith initiated discussions with Colleen Fitzpatrick, founder of Identifinders International. Fitzpatrick provided guidance on the potential of using forensic genetic genealogy (FGG) analysis for cold cases.
In 2024, with funding support from the Washington State Attorney General’s office, PAPD sent a suspect DNA sample for advanced single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) testing. FGG analysis identified the suspect as Kim John Cederleaf of Quilcene, Wash, who passed away in 2013.
Although cremated, detectives discovered that a vial of vitreous humor from Cederleaf’s autopsy was preserved at the Bradley-Kosec Funeral Home. Testing confirmed that Cederleaf’s DNA matched the suspect’s profile, conclusively solving the case.
This case profoundly affected the Port Angeles community and the PAPD Investigators over the decades. The resolution represents the culmination of bravery from the victims, meticulous police work, and advancements in forensic technology. The victims’ courage to participate with investigators over the years, despite the trauma they endured, was pivotal in keeping the case active and eventually solving it. Their resilience and determination to seek justice have been a source of inspiration to all involved.
Republished courtesy of Port Angeles Police Department