Recent breakthroughs in forensic science have allowed Colorado authorities to link DNA from a notorious serial killer to a murder case from 1987. The body of Rhonda Marie Fisher, 30, was found on April 1, 1987, beside a rural highway approximately 35 miles south of Denver. She was discovered after suffering sexual assault and strangulation.
Breakthrough in Cold Case Investigation
The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office announced in a recent news release that DNA found on paper bags associated with Fisher’s body has been connected to one of Colorado’s most infamous serial killers. This advancement emphasizes the critical importance of evidence preservation and the reevaluation of forensic material.
Details Surrounding the Murder
- Fisher was last seen in Denver on the evening preceding her murder.
- Prior to her death, she had been staying with various acquaintances.
- A person of interest was identified early in the case but later cleared.
- The investigation overlooked several serial offenders active in the Denver area during the 1970s and 1990s.
Renewed Investigation and DNA Match
Despite attempts to identify the perpetrator through DNA testing in 2017, no definitive profiles emerged. However, this year, the cold case unit revisited Fisher’s murder investigation. In October, they successfully matched the DNA from the paper bags to biological evidence from three homicides in 1979 attributed to Vincent Darrell Groves.
About Vincent Darrell Groves
Groves was recognized as a prolific serial killer, convicted of murder in 1982 and involved in sex trafficking and drug distribution. He served less than five years for his murder conviction before committing further attacks primarily against vulnerable women. Law enforcement estimates he is responsible for at least 12 homicides, an attempted murder, and a sexual assault in the Denver metro area.
Closure for Fisher’s Family
Vincent Groves passed away in 1996 while in custody of the Colorado Department of Corrections. His involvement in Fisher’s case remains a poignant reminder of the unresolved pain suffered by victims’ families.
Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly expressed hope that this development would bring closure to Fisher’s family and friends. He emphasized the department’s ongoing commitment to pursuing justice for victims, regardless of the time that has elapsed. He highlighted that Rhonda Fisher was not just a murder victim but a mother, daughter, and friend.
