Near the end of our freshman year of college, UAF was shocked by the brutal rape and murder of a young student, Sophie Sergie, whom I did not know, but who lived in the same dorm as Janelle. Sophie's body was found in a bathtub of the women's restroom either on the floor above (according to my memory) or the same floor as Janelle's dorm room. I remember both Janelle and Tracy (Janelle's roommate) being particularly shaken by the news, especially since the authorities had no idea who Sophie's murderer might have been, and thus the murderer was still on the loose. As the months and then years went on, I became certain that Sophie's murder was going to be unsolved.
Family ancestry programs using DNA changed that. One of the DNA registries noted that a sample sent to it matched DNA that had been left behind on Sophie's body (I do not know if this was part of a routine procedure by the company or a more targeted search). It turns out that a close relative to the murderer had submitted the DNA sample. Sophie's murderer tried have the case thrown out under the idea that his DNA was taken without his permission, but as the DNA was actually a relative's and was given voluntarily, he was ultimately found guilty.
Today, 29 and a half years later, Sophie's murderer was officially sentenced to 75 years in prison. While this does not bring Sophie back, I hope that it gives her family a sense of peace and closure. It also fully lifts the veil of suspicion that other men, one of whom I knew personally, had to deal with all of this time due to their connections to Sophie. Oddly, news of the sentencing also lifted an anger and frustration that I did not realize that I had been carrying all this time.
Rest in peace, Sophie.
Family ancestry programs using DNA changed that. One of the DNA registries noted that a sample sent to it matched DNA that had been left behind on Sophie's body (I do not know if this was part of a routine procedure by the company or a more targeted search). It turns out that a close relative to the murderer had submitted the DNA sample. Sophie's murderer tried have the case thrown out under the idea that his DNA was taken without his permission, but as the DNA was actually a relative's and was given voluntarily, he was ultimately found guilty.
Today, 29 and a half years later, Sophie's murderer was officially sentenced to 75 years in prison. While this does not bring Sophie back, I hope that it gives her family a sense of peace and closure. It also fully lifts the veil of suspicion that other men, one of whom I knew personally, had to deal with all of this time due to their connections to Sophie. Oddly, news of the sentencing also lifted an anger and frustration that I did not realize that I had been carrying all this time.
Rest in peace, Sophie.
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