Credit: Columbus Division of Police
DNA from hair recovered from a crime scene 45 years ago has finally provided answers in the chilling murders of a 23-year-old and her 2-year-old nephew.
On Nov. 12, 1980, Lynn Vest and her nephew Jeremy Pickens went missing after leaving to run errands. Their bodies were found the next day in the trunk of Vest’s car. Vest had been sexually assaulted and strangled, while Pickens has suffocated in his aunt’s car. Missing from the scene were Vest’s credit card, money, and her wedding ring.
While there was little evidence at the scene, two hairs were preserved, as well as DNA from the sexual assault kit performed on Vest postmortem.
In 2010, a DNA profile was developed from the kit, but it yielded no matches. In 2019, the Homicide Case Review Unit began exploring investigative genetic genealogy techniques.
In 2025, a DNA profile from a hair found on Vest led to the identification of Charles William Elliott as a suspect. Subsequent analysis confirmed Elliot's DNA matched that found in Vest’s sexual assault kit.
Police say Elliott had been in and out of jail across the country. He died in 2000 while incarcerated.
Despite the identification, the case remains open as investigators believe one more person could be involved in this crime. Witness accounts suggest Elliott may not have acted alone, noting two black males in a white car following Lynn.
Individuals who have information regarding this case are encouraged to contact the Columbus Police Homicide Unit at 614-645-2228.
Republished courtesy of Columbus Division of Police