DNA taken from the body of Mary Sullivan roughly five decades ago was matched Friday to her confessed killer — Alberto DeSalvo, known as the “Boston Strangler.”
DeSalvo admitted to the killing and several others before his stabbing death in jail on unrelated rape charges in 1973. But he later recanted, and police haven’t been able to prove that he was in fact the murderer, CNN reported.
Ms. Sullivan, 19, was found sexually assaulted and strangled to death in her Charles Street home on Jan. 4, 1964. Friday, Massachusetts law enforcement authorities announced they were finally able to confirm DeSalvo’s role in the killing, using DNA they took of his remains in July.
“I hope this brings some measure of finality to Mary Sullivan’s family,” Attorney General Martha Coakley said, NECN reported. “This leaves no doubt that Albert DeSalvo was responsible for the brutal murder of Mary Sullivan, and most likely that he was responsible for the horrific murders of the other women he confessed to killing.”
Before making the announcement, law enforcement officers first notified Ms. Sullivan’s family, NECN reported.
• Cheryl K. Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.com.
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