Connecticut Man Arrested in 1986 Virginia Beach Rape and Murder Case

A man was arrested in Connecticut this week after officials in Virginia said new evidence links him to the rape and murder of a woman 40 years ago. Roberta Walls was 22 years old when she was raped and murdered in Virginia Beach on May 15, 1986, according to the Virginia Beach Police Department.

A preliminary investigation at the time showed she had been stabbed multiple times in addition to being sexually assaulted. Police have worked over the years attempting to find the person responsible for Walls’ murder, but have continually hit dead ends.

That changed Wednesday, when officials announced the arrest of Charles Randell Berry in connection with the case.

Police were led to Berry by a forensic genealogy investigation that was possible thanks to a grant from the Virginia Sexual Assault Kit Initiative. The investigation was based on a DNA profile developed in 2001 by the Virginia Department of Forensic Science.

Detectives were able to obtain Berry’s DNA through a search warrant. “The cold case squad continued to pursue the investigation into Berry’s involvement and presented the case to the office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for consideration of charges,” Capt.

Michelle Wyatt told reporters Wednesday. Prior to Berry being identified, police said they eliminated more than 30 suspects through DNA testing. Berry had no known ties to Walls, but had been stationed in Virginia Beach at the time of her murder while he was in the Navy.

U.S. Navy told NBC News that it does not maintain service records prior to 1990.

Court records show Berry was charged in Virginia with rape and capital murder in connection with the May 1986 case. He was arrested in Connecticut, where he is being detained pending extradition. Berry’s attorney, Robert Lacobelle, told NBC News that they have not received a warrant or affidavit detailing the allegations in the case.