FORT WAYNE, Ind. — Police have arrested a man in the 1988 slaying of an 8-year-old Indiana girl. Authorities say John Miller of Grabill agreed to speak with police Sunday in Fort Wayne and made incriminating statements about abducting, assaulting and killing April Tinsley. An affidavit released by the Allen County prosecutor says investigators have DNA evidence linking Miller to the girl.
A recent search of Miller’s trash helped police make a DNA match. Charges could be formally filed this week. It wasn’t immediately known if Miller has a lawyer who could comment on the arrest.
April Tinsley
WANE
According to the affidavit, Miller’s DNA was matched to DNA recovered from Tinsley’s underwear in 1988, CBS affiliate WANE reports.
Tinsley was abducted as she walked to a friend’s home to pick up an umbrella, the station reports.
John Miller
WANE
Tinsley’s body was found in a ditch, about 20 miles from her Fort Wayne neighborhood, three days after she disappeared in April 1988. The first-grader’s body was found by a jogger, WANE reports.
Police say the killer continued to torment the residents of Fort Wayne years after the crime. He surfaced several times, police say, posting notes about his involvement with the Tinsley slaying, and handing others to local children.
Tinsley’s family left Fort Wayne in 1991 but returned five years ago.
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