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You are here: Home / Cold Case News / Sharron Prior: DNA confirmed

Sharron Prior: DNA confirmed

May 23, 2023 By Alice

Sharron PriorAs posted earlier, the Canadian authorities have been able to match DNA found at the Sharron Prior crime scene to the West Virginia Romine Family.

Two brothers voluntarily gave their DNA. Their profiles showed a close but partial match to that what was found at Sharron Prior’s crime scene.

These two brothers were never suspects.

However, their deceased brother Franklin Romine is now officially named as Sharron’s rapist and murderer.

Franklin Romine had already passed away and his remains were exhumed to retrieve a DNA sample. That sample was compared to what was found on the crime scene. Today, police confirmed it was indeed a match.

Sarah Bourgoin, Director of the biology and DNA department at Quebec’s National Forensic Laboratory, said “We remarked that it was identical, which confirmed that it was indeed Franklin Romine who left his DNA at the scene.”

The Case

Sharron Kim Prior (Feb 9, 1959 – March 29, 1975) was 16 years old when she disappeared on March 29, 1975. She left home around 715pm to meet friends at Marina’s Pizzeria. The restaurant was a five minute walk from her home. She never arrived. She was found dead on April 1st, 1975.

Sharon died a violent death: she was raped, beaten, and died of asphyxiation. According to the doctor, she had been dead for at least 20 hours before she was found in a field at Chemin du Lac and Guimond Boulevard. A beekeeper saw the padlock was hanging on the gate but it was not hooked.

When police arrived, they found her body clothed only in a three-quarter length suede Leo’s Boys Sports jacket, with a sweater, shoes and socks. Her jeans and panties were about 6 feet from her body. Her underwear hung from a tree branch. These items, properly preserved, and the latest DNA technology, have now given us the answers.

Rest in peace, Sharron Kim Prior.

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Related

Filed Under: Cold Case News, Forensics Tagged With: Canada, DNA, Sharron Prior

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Author Notes

I write about old, unsolved cases from the pre-DNA era as they need renewed media attention. I only do research and leave the active investigation of these cases to professionals.

Posts include homicides, missing and unidentified people, wrongful convictions, and forensics as related to these cases.

On book reviews: I only review select works of true crime, crime fiction, and historical fiction/mysteries. The stories have to fit my website's theme and research. It remains my prerogative to not review a book. Please check the FAQ page for more.

My databases are free to the public. Cases are sorted by the victim’s last name.

If you have any questions about my website please check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page, the about page, and the tabs in both menu bars. If you cannot find the answers there, please contact me.

Thank you,

Alice de Sturler
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