KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Based on two cold case homicide assists from students in Western Michigan University’s Cold Case Program, Michigan State Police say they will be launching a new initiative to strengthen the program and put Western students on the inside track to careers in law enforcement.
Officials with WMU say students in the Cold Case Program have gained global attention for their work alongside state and local law enforcement.
An announcement on the new initiative is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, October 13, at the WMU Student Center.
The latest success for the Cold Case Program came back in late April when St. Joseph County Prosecutor David Marvin announced that a suspect had been charged in connection with a cold case murder investigation that goes back to December 1988.
Robert Odell Waters has been charged with the murder of Cathy Sue Swartz of Three Rivers. Waters was taken into custody April 30, 2023 in Beaufort, South Carolina.
The 19-year-old Swartz was found stabbed to death in her home on December 2, 1988. Her infant daughter was found unharmed in a nearby room.
Three Rivers Police said a statement that Swartz managed to fight her attacker but was overcome by numerous stab wounds, a vicious beating and strangulation.
The suspect was finally identified through the use of Forensic Genetic Genealogy which narrowed the suspect pool down to one family.
Investigators then interviewed, fingerprinted and DNA tested the family members until the suspect was identified.
