Cold case solved after 44 years: DNA evidence brings justice to Esther Gonzalez
The body of 17-year-old Esther Gonzalez was discovered in a snowbank near a highway in Riverside County, California, on February 10, 1979.
A chilling cold case that haunted a California family for over four decades has finally been resolved, offering long-awaited closure. In February 1979, 17-year-old Esther Gonzalez vanished while walking from her parents’ home to her sister’s residence in Banning, California, about 137 kilometers east of Los Angeles. Her lifeless body was discovered the next day in a snowpack near a Riverside County highway. Investigators determined that Gonzalez had been raped and bludgeoned to death, but the case remained unsolved for years.
Breakthrough in Forensic Technology
Despite relentless efforts, the investigation grew cold as leads dried up and suspects were elusive. A semen sample collected from Gonzalez’s body was preserved and entered into the national DNA database, CODIS, but no match surfaced for decades. In 2023, the tide turned. Advancements in forensic genealogy enabled the Riverside County cold case team to collaborate with a Texas-based genetic lab. Their efforts led to a pivotal discovery.
The Killer Unveiled: Lewis Randolph "Randy" Williamson
The DNA analysis identified Lewis Randolph "Randy" Williamson, a former US Marine Corps veteran who had died in 2014, as the perpetrator. Ironically, Williamson had contacted authorities on the day Gonzalez’s body was found, claiming to have discovered it. His suspicious behavior then was overlooked after he passed a polygraph test, which cleared him in the pre-DNA era. The breakthrough revealed Williamson as the man behind the heinous crime.
Closure Brings Mixed Emotions
The Gonzalez family expressed both relief and sorrow. While they were grateful for the resolution, they lamented that Williamson’s death denied him accountability. "We are happy about it but saddened that he won’t spend any time for her murder," said Esther’s sister Elizabeth Gonzalez.
Esther, remembered as a shy yet lighthearted teenager, left an indelible mark on her family. Her brother Eddie Gonzalez shared on Facebook, “The Gonzalez family would like to thank the Riverside County Sheriff's Department on a job well done. After 40 years, we finally have closure.”
