DNA Evidence Connects Deceased Suspect to 1987 Cold Case Killing in Prescott
In a major breakthrough, investigators have announced that DNA evidence has linked a deceased suspect to a cold case from 1987 in Prescott, Arizona. The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Bryan Scott Bennett was responsible for the death of Catherine Cathy Sposito, 23 years old at the time, according to The Associated Press.
The news was revealed during a press conference led by Yavapai County Sheriff David Rhodes on Friday. Bennett, who was a 16-year-old high school student in Prescott back in 1987, was never identified as a suspect in Sposito’s murder due to the lack of DNA analysis at the time.
Sposito was found dead on June 13, 1987, along the Thumb Butte Trail in Prescott, where she had been hiking. Reports from other hikers indicated that they had heard screams for help, but tragically, by the time Sposito was discovered, she had already succumbed to her injuries.
Investigators have determined that Sposito endured a horrific attack, sustaining injuries that included being struck in the head with a rock and a wrench, shot in the eye, and stabbed in the head. Through their diligent efforts, authorities have now connected Bennett to this heinous crime.
Moreover, it has come to light that Bennett had been involved in similar violent acts against other victims in the northern Arizona area, as reported by KTVK. He moved from Calvin, Kentucky, to Prescott and spent about a year and a half there before dropping out of school.
Investigators have uncovered evidence suggesting that Bennett was responsible for a sexual assault in 1990, which took place on the same trail and around the same time as Sposito’s murder. Furthermore, two months after that incident, he allegedly attempted to sexually assault a girl at a house party in Chino Valley, for which he was arrested and later acquitted.
The case took an unexpected turn when, in 2020, detectives investigating Bennett’s second victim’s case received a breakthrough through familial genealogy. This method identified two brothers, one of whom was Bryan Scott Bennett, as potential suspects. In 2022, the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office obtained a search warrant to exhume Bennett’s body in Kentucky, eventually resulting in DNA evidence linking him to the 1990 case.
It is worth noting that Bennett ultimately moved back to Kentucky in 1993 and tragically died by suicide using a weapon similar to the one used on Sposito. However, it remains unclear whether it was the same weapon.
Sheriff Rhodes expressed his gratitude to the dedicated volunteers, numerous detectives, and partnering organizations involved in solving these cold cases. He emphasized that due to their collective efforts, four women have now found closure, peace, or validation.
The successful use of DNA evidence in this case serves as a powerful reminder of the progress made in forensic technology over the years. This breakthrough brings hope to law enforcement agencies and families of victims still searching for answers in cold cases. The relentless pursuit of justice continues, as authorities work tirelessly to solve these mysteries and bring closure to grieving families.
