A new genetic investigative tool could help police catch the person who raped and killed 6-year-old Alicia O’Reilly 45 years ago.
Alicia was raped and murdered in her bed as her 8-year-old sister Juliet slept metres away in the same room inside their family’s Canal Rd family home in Avondale 45 years ago today.
No one has yet been held accountable for her death, which occurred in the early hours of the morning, but in 2020 police began re-investigating the homicide under the name Operation Sturbridge.
Five years on, they’re hopeful a trial already under way for a new genetic investigative tool could provide a breakthrough, said Detective Inspector Scott Beard, who is overseeing the investigation.
“[This tool] may provide new leads after a DNA sample was obtained.”
Police were working methodically through the trial of Investigative Genetic Genealogy, he said.
“Modern scientific technology continues to advance, and we are working very closely with PHF Science to try and establish a DNA link to a potential offender.”
The horrendous crime shocked the country and hundreds of suspects were questioned.
Detectives working on the case decades later believed forensic evidence – hair and semen left by the killer – had been inexplicably destroyed during the original investigation.
But in a stunning twist five years ago, some unmarked samples were found in archives and scientists from ESR, the Crown research institute, were able to extract a full DNA profile of the perpetrator.
The breakthrough gave renewed hope to Alicia’s mother, Nancye O’Reilly and Operation Sturbridge that the killer would be identified.
But no DNA match had been found despite the genetic code being compared to hundreds of thousands of profiles collected from criminals or crime scenes since the mid-1990s, and held in DNA databanks in New Zealand and Australia, the Herald reported in 2023.
Another 193 suspects had been ruled out after giving voluntary DNA samples.
After hitting a dead end, Operation Sturbridge requested permission from Police National Headquarters in November 2021 to try a novel avenue – investigative genetic genealogy.
The new technique had been made possible by the growth of databases overseas, such as FamilyTreeDNA, where people could research their heritage by uploading their DNA profile, the Herald reported in 2023.
While investigations in New Zealand regularly compared DNA left at crime scenes with profiles held on the databanks, looking for either a direct match or a close relative, genetic genealogy allowed police to cast the net much wider.
Tens of millions of people worldwide have shared their profiles on these popular websites, meaning the likelihood of law enforcement finding a genetic relative to a suspect had vastly improved.
Detectives could then use the results of a genetic genealogy search alongside other records to construct a family tree, to then identify the most likely suspects for further investigation, the Herald reported in 2023.
The technique had been used with dramatic success to solve cold cases overseas, most notably the capture of the “Golden State Killer” who committed at least 13 murders and 51 rapes in the US between 1974 and 1986.
While the potential of genetic genealogy for criminal investigations was obvious, the technique wasn’t without controversy; not least the concerns of private citizens voluntarily giving their DNA to a private company for one purpose, only for the state to use it for a different one.
After an 18-month wait for expert advice to navigate the complex privacy and legal considerations, Operation Sturbridge was given permission to try the technique, the Herald reported in 2023.
Speaking at that time, Nancye O’Reilly said she was pleased there was another avenue for the investigation to follow, but also “trying not to get my hopes too high”.
“In the past, there have been breakthroughs and it’s come to nothing. I just have to keep a lid on [my emotions] really, otherwise it’s a huge disappointment.”
Alicia’s Australia-based father said at the same time he was also optimistic the killer could be found, and genealogy testing could solve other cold cases.
“We, as Alicia’s parents, are hoping this technology will find the person who viciously took Alicia’s life. Alicia can then be allowed to rest in peace.”
Beard said those working on Operation Sturbridge had also used the expertise of the Behavioural Science Unit, particularly in re-examining persons of interest, he said.
“Part of the investigation is looking at reviewing every person who was considered a person of interest back in 1980, whether they were eliminated or not – even those who may have passed away.
“Our aim is to solve the case and give the family the answers.”
Beard said today police hadn’t given up hope, and “dearly” wanted to find answers for those who loved Alicia.
“We would dearly like to give Alicia’s family the answers they so deeply deserve after all this time. They continue to suffer from not knowing who is responsible for this crime.
“My thoughts are with them today especially.”
Police were determined to find the person responsible, he said.
“Even after all these years, if there is someone out there who has any knowledge as to who was involved.
“Police want to hear from you – it’s not too late.”
Cherie Howie is an Auckland-based reporter who joined the Herald in 2011. She has been a journalist for more than 20 years and specialises in general news and features.