The Genealogy Trick That Caught a Hawaiian Killer
The warm sands of Waikiki in the 1970s were a stark contrast to the chilling crime that would haunt the Anderson family for decades. Nancy Anderson, a 19-year-old recent high school graduate, had moved to Honolulu in October 1971, full of hope and excitement. But just three months later, her life was cut tragically short in a brutal murder that remained unsolved for over 50 years.
Stabbed 63 Times
On Jan. 7, 1972, Anderson's roommate returned home to a horrific scene. Anderson was found lifeless in her bedroom, stabbed 63 times, with water still running in the bathroom. Initially, her roommate thought Anderson might have taken her own life, but investigators quickly determined it was murder. This marked the beginning of Hawaii's oldest cold case.
Despite interviewing several suspects, including two knife salesmen who visited Anderson's apartment that day, police found no conclusive leads. The case eventually went cold, leaving Anderson's family devastated. For decades, they longed for answers about who could commit such a heinous act against their bright and trusting sister.
A Family's Quest for Justice
Anderson's family never gave up. In 2001, her siblings petitioned the Honolulu police to reopen the case. While new DNA testing methods had emerged, it wasn't until 2019 that the case gained significant traction. Jack Anderson, Nancy's brother, reached out to CeCe Moore, a renowned forensic genealogist with Parabon® NanoLabs, hoping her expertise could finally bring closure to their family.
Using cutting-edge genetic genealogy techniques, Moore worked with DNA evidence left behind by the killer, believed to have cut himself during the attack. Her research pointed to Tudor Chirila, a former neighbor and university teaching assistant in Honolulu at the time of the murder.
DNA and Dedication Solve the Case
In April 2021, investigators obtained a voluntary DNA sample from Chirila's son, which suggested a familial match. Later, police secured a direct DNA sample from Chirila himself, which matched the evidence from the crime scene. Chirila, then 77 years old and living in Reno, Nevada, was arrested for Nancy's murder.
Though he awaited trial, Chirila's health declined rapidly, and he died on Christmas Day 2023, while in custody. While his death meant he never faced a formal conviction, Nancy's siblings felt a sense of justice knowing the identity of her killer.
A Legacy of Resilience
Nancy Anderson's story serves as both a cautionary tale and a testament to the power of perseverance. Her family's determination, coupled with the remarkable advancements in forensic science, brought an end to a 50-year search for the truth.
As her sister Carol reflected, "If we do nothing else in our lives, I think I can say, Nancy, we did this for you. There's been justice for you," as reported by People.
References: Nancy Anderson Hawaii Murder Investigation | 50-Year-Old Hawaii Cold Case Solved
