Police credit forensic advances after charges laid in 40-year-old sexual assaults
Posted Feb 16, 2021 12:40 pm.
CALGARY – Police in Calgary have made an arrest in two sexual assaults that occurred nearly 40 years ago.
Investigators have charged Patrick Zamora, 64, in the attacks near the Foothills Hospital in 1981.
On June 16, 1981, a nursing student was returning to her residence at the medical centre when she was attacked and sexually assaulted.
Two weeks later, a lab technician was assaulted when she was returning to her vehicle after leaving a building on the medical centre campus.
Significant advances in DNA science have aided Calgary Police Service cold case sex crimes investigators with making an arrest in two sexual assaults that occurred nearly 40 years ago. #yychttps://t.co/7BpzAPjRKF
— Calgary Police (@CalgaryPolice) February 16, 2021
“These offences were investigated extensively in 1981 by detectives in the Sex Crimes Unit with no offender identified in relation to the attacks,” said S/Sgt. Michelle Doyle.
“These cases highlight that dedicated investigative work coupled with technological advances can result in new information, leading to charges. Even after 40 years, we will not stop investigating cold cases.”
Zamora is charged under Criminal Code statutes from the time which include rape.
He is to appear in court April 1.
