Nearly 46 years after a young Everett woman was found murdered in her home, prosecutors have charged a suspect following a new breakthrough in DNA evidence.
Mitchell Gaff, a man in his 60s, was charged Friday, March 13, in Snohomish County Superior Court in connection with the 1980 killing of 21-year-old Susan Vesey, according to Everett Police.
Vesey was found dead in her home on Casino Road on July 12, 1980 — the morning after celebrating her 21st birthday. Her husband, Ken Vesey, discovered her when he returned home from working a night shift.
At the time, the couple’s two young children — a 2-year-old daughter and infant son — were inside the residence but were unharmed.
Investigators recently identified Gaff as a suspect after new DNA analysis linked him to the case, according to police.
Prosecutors charged him with aggravated murder and murder in the first degree.
Officials say the arrest comes after decades of investigative work and advances in forensic technology.
“I am so proud of our Everett Police Department for solving this murder case by utilizing advancements in DNA analysis techniques,” Everett Mayor Cassie Franklin said.
Franklin said the case demonstrates that investigators will continue pursuing justice even many years after a crime. “We honor Susan’s memory as we bring this suspect to justice,” Franklin said.
Everett Police Chief Robert Goetz also credited detectives for continuing to pursue the case.
“Our investigators strive to seek justice for victims of violent crime and hold offenders accountable,” Goetz said. “We appreciate Detective Susan Logothetti’s efforts, because of which this suspect can be charged almost 50 years later.”
Gaff was previously arrested in May 2024 in connection with the killing of another Everett woman, Judy Weaver, who was murdered on June 2, 1984.
Gaff is currently in custody in Snohomish County.
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