Across California, two recent criminal cases are shedding light on the lengths investigators will go to find justice, even years after the initial crime was committed. The cases, separated by decades, reveal how advancements in forensic technology and diligent police work can unite the past with the present.
First, we take you back to 1979, when the small community of Banning was rocked by the murder of 17-year-old Esther Gonzalez. Her body was discovered hidden under snow along Highway 243, mere hours after she was last seen walking to her sister's house. A subsequent investigation revealed she had been brutally attacked—evidence pointed to rape and blunt force trauma.
Fast forward over four decades, and investigators have finally cracked this cold case thanks to modern forensic genealogy techniques. The Riverside County District Attorney's Office announced last week the identification of Lewis Randolph "Randy" Williamson as Gonzalez's killer, who had passed away himself back in 2014.
Remarkably, Williamson had been cleared of suspicion following a polygraph test he took shortly after the murder. At the time, his results seemed to exonerate him, allowing him to avoid immediate suspicion. But the advancement of DNA technology over the years provided investigators with another chance to connect the dots.
After initially struggling to make progress with traditional methods, detectives decided to send samples from the original crime scene to Othram, Inc. for genetic genealogy analysis. They managed to match Williamson's DNA to semen samples collected at the crime scene, confirming him as the perpetrator. Riverside investigators believe there were untold circumstances surrounding Gonzalez's murder which remain unclear, and the case is still open for any new leads or testimonies.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the country—specifically Ravenna, Ohio—a different narrative has emerged involving young adult Johnathan Glenn Walters, who has pleaded guilty to attempted murder after stabbing another man at a local transit facility earlier this year. The incident occurred on May 24, resulting in serious injuries to the victim.
Walters, just 20 years old, faced multiple charges including aggravated robbery for allegedly stealing the victim's cell phone and marijuana following the violent assault. During the attack, he used a switchblade knife, inflicting wounds across various parts of the man's body, necessitating emergency medical intervention.
Walters has accepted a plea deal, which leads to one significant dismissal: two counts of assault have been erased from the charge sheet. It’s now up to the Portage County Common Pleas Court to decide his fate after the conclusion of the pre-sentencing investigation, which will inform the judge on aspects including the victim's perspective.
This case, unlike Gonzalez’s murder, has quickly unfolded, marking yet another grim chapter for the community of Ravenna. The Stabbing was not only brutal but brought to light issues such as youth violence and drug-related crime, prompting local officials to address public safety concerns.
Although these cases are dissimilar, they share unexpected parallels. Both reflect society's never-ending commitment to justice, no matter the time lapsed. The remembrance of victims like Gonzalez rekindles hope for families haunted by unsolved mysteries, just as the swift legal proceedings against offenders like Walters offer closure and consequences for the victims.
With advances in forensic technology set to keep playing an important role, the boundaries of crime-solving expand significantly, challenging the norms of how criminal cases are processed. Law enforcement remains urged to keep their strategies adaptive and responsive to each new development. This is particularly true as aging cold cases continue to be reopened, driven by the possibility of not just closure but genuine justice achieved through renewed investigation.
The Riverside County Regional Cold Case Homicide Team has called on the public for any leads and is especially interested in hearing from anyone who may have known Williamson. Individuals are encouraged to report anything significant to aid this investigation or reveal more about Gonzalez's tragic fate. Meanwhile, for both cases, the judicial process is underway to hold accountable those who cause harm and to support the communities impacted by violence.
