Cold Case Breakthrough: New DNA Tech Offers Hope in 1979 Pennsylvania Murder

Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, 1979: A Cold Case Heats Up with New DNA Technology On March 28, 1979, the Leigh Valley community was shocked by the brutal murder of 17-year-old Holly Branagan in her family's Bethlehem home. She was stabbed 18 times, and the case, despite numerous tips and investigations, remained unsolved for 46 years. Now, thanks to advancements in DNA technology and the efforts of the Northampton County District Attorney's office and the Cold Case Foundation, there's renewed hope for a breakthrough. "The better technology that's out there, there's new systems, there's a new way to collect DNA that wasn't available to them ten years ago," explained Jim Friedman, a photojournalist who worked on the NBC10 documentary about the case. The District Attorney's office is sending evidence to be retested using this new technology, specifically an M-Vac machine that can vacuum out possible unidentified DNA profiles. This new approach offers a significant advantage over previous methods. The Cold Case Foundation has an expert who can utilize the M-Vac machine effectively. "I certainly hope so. It's been 46 years. I think with the advent of better technology it's only a matter of time," said the District Attorney, expressing optimism about the possibility of finally solving this long-standing mystery. This development not only offers hope for justice in Holly Branagan's case but also highlights the potential of advanced technology to solve other cold cases. The story serves as a testament to the perseverance of law enforcement and the power of innovation in the pursuit of truth and justice.