Missing teen Briana Denison from Reno NV (Body Found)

[klaasend]

Did I hear correctly that this same rapist killer struck as far back as Oct?

Yes, he's linked to 2 maybe 3 other attacks. 

[kissyface]

http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080219/NEWS01/80219019&oaso=news.rgj.com%2Fbreakingnews
JACLYN O'MALLEY
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
Posted: 2/19/2008
Modified: 2/19/2008
SPECIAL REPORT | Brianna Denison: 1988-2008

Underwear found near Brianna Denison's body that were not hers.

Reno police are trying to identify the female who owned a pair of black Pink Panther thong underwear found with Brianna Denison’s body on Friday.

Lt. Robert McDonald said DNA of an unknown woman and the DNA of the man who abducted and strangled Denison were on the panties. McDonald said the underwear was found with Denison’s body but was not hers. The male DNA found on the panties is from the same man who committed at least two sexually motivated crimes against other young college women recently.

Police want to know if the underwear belonged to another victim who has not reported being assaulted or if they belong to a woman who may have dated someone and later noticed the underwear missing. It’s also possible the underwear were stolen in a burglary.

McDonald said it’s important the woman who owns the underwear come forward because the information she has may lead police to the serial sexual predator who killed Denison.

The thong-style underwear are black with cartoon character Pink Panther’s head and pink hearts on it. They appear worn.

Anyone with information is asked to call 745-3521 or Secret Witness at 322-4900.
Check RGJ.com later for more details.

[kissyface]

I read in an article that this guy strikes every 33 to 36 days since October.  We are now on day 30 since he took Briana.  I wonder if he will strike again here or somewhere else.  The attention on this case is going to make it harder for him to keep up his usual pattern.  Beware everywhere.  You never know who might be hiding out in your towns too.

[kissyface]

http://www.krnv.com/Global/story.asp?S=7895227&Call=Email&Format=HTML
Reno police say Brianna's killer may be taunting Police with new evidence

Posted: Feb 19, 2008 03:05 PM PST

Updated: Feb 20, 2008 08:43 AM PST   
   
Reno Police say they found a pair of women's underwear at the scene where they found the body of 19-year Brianna Denison. 

Denison was kidnapped from a home near the University of Nevada on Jan. 20 and found dead in a field South Reno on Feb. 15.

Police say the underwear they found at the scene did not belong to Brianna.  It contains the DNA of an unknown woman along with the DNA of the man who kidnapped and strangled Brianna. 

Reno's chief of police says the male DNA found on the thong was from the same man who committed at least two sexually motivated crimes against other women in the area. He says they are a critical piece of evidence that may have been dropped at the scene accidentally or perhaps left behind to "taunt the police and taunt the community."

Police are hoping that someone will recognize the distinctive pattern caricatures of the head of "Pink Panther" and pink hearts on the black thong and come to authorities with further information to help the investigation.

Police are also looking for a suspect they describe as a white man with light brown/dirty blonde hair.  He is 5'8'' to 5' 10'' with a slender to medium build.

Police are also looking for an extended cab pick-up truck or SUV with an interior dome light above the windshield. The vehicle is tall enough that it requires a step up to gain entry, but that step is not an added "aftermarket" step. There is a floor-mounted console described as "fairly skinny" that opens in front, and the radio has blue and red LED read-out. The vehicle also has cloth seats and an automatic transmission. There was a baby shoe on the front seat floor board, and 8 ½" x 11" white pieces of paper with typing on the floor board of the front seat.

If you have any information, call the 24 hour tip line at 745-3521 or Secret Witness at 322-4900.  Secret Witness is offering a reward for information.
_____________________________________________________________________________________How sick.  I can't wait until they get him, and they will.  Too bad public executions are a thing of the past. I'd love to throw rocks and fecal matter at this a-hole.

[kissyface]

http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080221/NEWS01/80221043&oaso=news.rgj.com%2Fbreakingnews

Police to reinterview woman groped at UNR
JACLYN O'MALLEY
RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL
Posted: 2/21/2008
SPECIAL REPORT | Brianna Denison: 1988-2008
 
Reno police today will be re-interviewing a University of Nevada, Reno student who reported she had been groped by an unidentified man in mid-October as she was walking near campus.

As a follow-up to the October report she made to Reno police, the 22-year-old woman on Wednesday spoke with UNR police to make an official report with them, said UNR Associate Police Director Todd Renwick, who then issued a safety bulletin to students about her report that included safety tips.

Renwick said the timing of her meeting with UNR police had more to do with what was convenient scheduling for the woman.

Authorities on Thursday said they had no evidence to believe the incident was directly linked to the man who abducted and strangled Brianna Denison, 19, and earlier had sexually attacked at least two women, possibly three.

But police said they are still investigating any ties and are taking it seriously.

Reno police detectives had initially spoken to the woman on Jan. 29 who said she believed a fraternity member had played a prank on her, and could not describe his appearance, said Reno police Lt. Robert McDonald. Detectives at that time felt the incident was not connected to the Denison investigation or the sexual attacks because of the student’s feeling it was a prank, that it occurred at a different time than the other attacks and that she would not be able to identify the person. She did give some general descriptions such as a height range and that he had a “sharp nose.”

The suspect in the Denison case seems to have been targeting petite, college-aged women with long hair and attacking them from behind. The 22-year-old student is 5-foot-7 and 120 pounds. Her hair length unknown.

Another interview with the woman scheduled for later today will determine if the woman has any new information, McDonald said.

According to the woman’s report, she had been listening to her iPod when she was walking up 11th Street between Buena Vista and The Strand about 4 p.m. when a man approached her from behind, reached across her right shoulder and grabbed her breast. She screamed and the man fled.

During the November assault linked to Denison’s killer, a college student was pushed from behind in between parked cars and groped. She kicked and screamed at the suspect, who fled.

Three days after police publicized a pair of black thong Pink Panther panties, size small, that were found Friday with Denison’s body, the owner still has not come forward. Police believe she could have vital information to lead them to the sexual predator who killed Denison.

As the national news media continues to report on the Denison case, guests on shows featured on CNN and Fox News have stated her body was found posed, which indicates the killer was taunting police. They have also stated conclusions about the condition of her body and elements of the crime that police have not disclosed.

McDonald said it’s untrue that her body was posed, and that many of the guests on these television shows have been speculating.

“We have never released any information, nor are we about the condition of her body,” McDonald said. “We know it’s a sexually motivated crime and we’re not talking at this point about what that means. None of the investigators have ever made any comments about this.”

[kissyface]

http://www.legacy.com/rgj/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=103956128

Brianna's obituary:

Brianna Zunino Denison, known for her million-dollar-smile and sparkling blue eyes, her tremendous outgoing nature and compassion, died in Reno, NV after being abducted on January 20, 2008. She was 19 years old.

Brianna was born on March 29, 1988. She was lovingly known by her mother as Breezy, because she reminded her of a “breath of fresh air on a cool summer day.“ She spent her childhood in Reno, NV, and in her mother's native town of Mendocino, CA. Brianna's passion for traveling and world cultures took her to Hawaii, New York, Mexico, Jamaica, Japan, Italy, Egypt, Hungary, Austria, and France. She studied abroad in Rome, Italy for a year with her family. Her ability to connect with people from all walks of life became part of her radiant personality.

When Jeff and Bridgette Denison's children, Brianna and Brighton, were born, they considered them to be the greatest gifts of their lives.

Brianna was raised in the tradition of honoring children as our most precious possessions. Brianna's mother, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends instilled in her the merits of being a loving, spiritual, respectful and trusting human being. She loved children and animals, especially her dog, Ozzy.

Brianna graduated from Reno High School in 2006. She was a sophomore at Santa Barbara City College, majoring in child psychology. She is survived by her mother, Bridgette Zunino-Denison and younger brother, Brighton Denison of Reno; her maternal grandparents, Bob and Barbara Zunino of Mendocino; her maternal uncle, John Zunino and her cousin, Ashley Zunino. She also leaves behind her paternal grandmother, Carol (Fifi) Pierce; her aunts, Lauren Denison and Rena Denison Terry; uncles, Mark Denison and Steve Terry, and 13 loving cousins, along with many extended family members throughout Nevada and California.

A Celebration of Life for Brianna is planned for Saturday, February 23, 2008 at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center, South Virginia Street at Kietzke Lane, at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to her foundation, “Bring Bri Back“ to help bring her killer to justice. More details about the Celebration and how to make a donation can be found on Brianna's website at www.BriannaDenison.com.

Arrangements are entrusted to O'Brien-Rogers and Crosby Funeral Home, Reno. We invite everyone to visit the website www.obrienrogerscrosby.com" to sign Bri's online guestbook and leave a message for her family.
_____________________________________________________________________________________-
Her favorite color was blue so I thought I would leave them posted here.  Thanks monkeys.

 
 

[Momof2OneryGirls]

does anyone know if her dad is not alive?

[MuffyBee]

Feb 24, 1:53 AM EST

Thousands Mourn Slain College Student

By MARTIN GRIFFITH
Associated Press Writer
 RENO, Nev. (AP) -- More than 3,000 mourners gathered Saturday night to remember a 19-year-old college student believed killed by a serial rapist as a loving, caring woman with many friends and a winning personality.

Brianna Denison's body was found in a Reno field on Feb. 15. Police said she was abducted Jan. 20 and strangled by a man linked to two earlier attacks on the edge of the University of Nevada, Reno.

Her cousin, Spencer Terry, said Denison's spirit would continue to live in the hearts of friends and family.

"Could anybody have asked for a prettier face and a more beautiful soul? I don't think so," Terry said.

Friend Danielle DeTomaso said Denison embraced all kinds of people.

"She knew people from all walks of life," DeTomaso said. "She was the glue that held all of us together."

Denison's aunt, Lauren Denison, reminded the crowd at the Reno-Sparks Convention Center that "we still have a job to do: bring Brianna's killer to justice."

The sophomore at Santa Barbara City College in California was visiting her hometown over winter break when she was abducted while she slept on a couch in a friend's home just off the Reno campus.

Outside the memorial service, several members of a fundamentalist Kansas church faced off against more than 150 counter-demonstrators.

The standoff, which occurred during a fierce snowstorm, ended peacefully when police escorted the three protesters associated with the Westboro Baptist Church away from the convention center, Sgt. Chris Lange said.

"There were a couple of eggs thrown at them and that's about it," Lange said.

Members of the Topeka, Kan., church picket military funerals out of a belief that the Iraq war is a punishment for the nation's tolerance of homosexuality. Last month, the church announced it would protest the service for Denison because it believes God hates Reno.

Church officials said they targeted the city because local law enforcement officers failed to protect church members who picketed a Jan. 26 memorial service there for a soldier who was killed in Iraq.

On Saturday, the three protesters waved placards reading "Pray for More Dead Kids," "Don't Worship the Dead" and "God Sent the Killer."

Counter-demonstrators said they strongly disapprove of the church's message and tactic of picketing outside memorial services.

"For them to come out and target tragedies like this, I don't think it's right," Greg Bailor Jr. said. "There's enough emotions as it is."

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/SERIAL_RAPES_MEMORIAL?SITE=FLTAM&SECTION=US

=================================
This church is WAY outta line imo not only for picketing military funerals, but also picketing this murdered young woman. 

[MuffyBee]

Sorry for all the red in my previous posts.  I was trying to highlight the area concerning the church protests.  I think my mouse is looking at retirement...

[A's Fever]

I don't think the press should validate this group by agreeing to call it a Church.   

God bless Brianna and her family!

[kissyface]

This "church" group is completely wrong for protesting at anyone's funeral.  They make me sick.  To do this at a funeral for a murdered young woman is totally without conscience.  Thankfully Reno was aware of them coming and did what they could to protect Bri's family from their ill will and malice.  They need to watch out.  People are getting tired of their sh*t and I forsee bad things happening due to their disrespect. 

[kissyface]

http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080303/NEWS01/803030336/1321/NEWS
Attacker may have kept panties
STAFF REPORT

Posted: 3/3/2008
SPECIAL REPORT | Brianna Denison: 1988-2008

3/2/2008: Police: Denison suspect keeps underwear
 

A Reno police detective is saying that the suspect in the Brianna Denison murder and

two other sexual assaults might keep his victim's underwear as souvenirs.

Lt. Robert McDonald said on a Saturday television program that police are "making a connection here that maybe this guy has some type of fetish for underwear.

"He certainly is wanting to keep a memory of what he is doing."

McDonald, commander of the Reno police robbery-homicide unit, was interviewed for an episode of "America's Most Wanted" broadcast Saturday.

Denison, 19, was abducted Jan. 20 from a home a block from the University of Nevada, Reno campus and was found strangled Feb. 15 in a southwest Reno field. With the body was a pair of black thong panties.

Denison was a Reno High School graduate and a sophomore at Santa Barbara City College in California. She was in town with a skiing group for a concert and other activities.

Police said the garment contains the DNA of an unknown female and of the serial rapist who kidnapped and strangled Brianna. Authorities have ruled out the female DNA as that of previous victims and the women living in the house from which Brianna was abducted.

The black panties were worn, size small and decorated with three pink hearts and the head of the Pink Panther cartoon character.

The suspect's DNA has been linked to the man who attacked women on or near the UNR campus in October, Nov. 13 and Dec. 16 but not to the

Oct. 22 gunpoint rape of a woman in a UNR parking garage, police said.

[Nut44x4]

Rumor control: No arrest in Denison caseMarch 07, 2008 12:05 PM

Rumors continue to circulate that there has been an arrest in the Brianna Denison kidnap and murder case and the Reno Police Department said Thursday that is not true. Police said the investigation is on-going and anyone with information about the case is asked to call Secret Witness at 322-4900 or the special Brianna Denison tip line at 745-3521. On its new site dedicated to the Denison case, police issued a statement saying the there has been no arrest and as soon as there has been arrest there will be a public announcement. "Rumors and speculation often circulate, sometimes more than once, in high-profile cases such as this," the statement said. "Reno Police ask that you disregard rumor and speculation and check back on this website for the facts that are released in this investigation."
http://m.rgj.com/news.jsp?key=38666&rc=lo

[Nut44x4]

Two pairs of panties were found
Posted: 3/7/2008
http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080307/NEWS01/803070517/1004
Reno police announced Thursday that two pairs of women's panties -- not just one -- were found last month with Brianna Denison's strangled body in a south Reno field.

Commander Leigha Struffert said the second pair belongs to one of the University of Nevada, Reno students who lived at the MacKay Court home from which Denison, 19, was abducted Jan. 20. Struffert said tests showed DNA on a pair of pink panties belongs to the student, Denison and Denison's suspected killer.

Police said two women and two men lived at the MacKay Court home. Authorities would not disclose which woman owned the underwear. But investigators said the woman identified the underwear and said it was hers.

Investigators do not know how the suspect obtained the student's underwear and said they had no evidence that any of the roommates' rooms had been burglarized.

Previously, police said a pair of black, size small thong panties featuring the cartoon character Pink Panther was found with Denison's body. Washoe County Crime Laboratory analysts found two DNA sources on the panties from an unknown woman and unknown man.

Police have linked Denison's abduction and death through DNA to at least two other sexually motivated attacks near the abduction site.

Struffert said Thursday the pink and black panties were found intertwined with Denison's body. Police said they are confident Denison's killer left the underwear.

Investigators said the killer has a fetish for collecting underwear and had taken a pair of underwear from a previous victim. Police would not disclose which victim owned the underwear.

Struffert said that it's typical for investigators to withhold information that only the perpetrator would know. She said investigators didn't immediately release information about the second pair of panties because further investigation was needed.

Struffert pleaded again Thursday for the owner of the black thong panties to come forward, saying the woman has information that could break open the case.

"The drive is to get the owner of the Pink Panther underwear to come forward," Struffert said.

She encouraged victims of unreported burglaries and who have missed underwear after using a laundromat to call police.

Police said they believe the serial rapist turned killer is known in the community and probably still lives here.

"It could be your father, brother, your boyfriend," Struffert said. "There is something about this person that someone knows about that just isn't right. We ask you to come forward."

Struffert declined to discuss other evidence or the condition of Denison's body. Police said the teddy bear Denison was using to prop up a pillow remains missing.

Struffert said she is confident the killer will be caught and the heightened awareness in the community is helping investigators.

Denison, a Reno High graduate, was on winter break from her college in Santa Barbara when she was abducted.

Her disappearance attracted national media attention and community-support as volunteers combed the region looking for her or clues to her disappearance. Other volunteers spread blue ribbons around town, which represent her favorite color.

Her family, and the community, adopted the saying "Bring Bri Back" in hopes she would return home safely. After her body was discovered last month, the rally cry became "Bring Bri Justice."

As the manhunt continues, Struffert said detectives have had more than 2,500 calls to the tip line and regional and federal law enforcement.

The city of Reno has a page on its Web site, www.cityofreno.com, dedicated to the Denison investigation. "America's Most Wanted" also will be providing a YouTube video for the site featuring its broadcasts on the case.

[Nut44x4]

Briana's Mom on Dr. Phil

http://www.drphil.com/videos/?Url=/house/drphilnow/6406_2.flv&background=header_drphil_video.jpg

[Nut44x4]

TV host dismayed suspect not caught
Posted: 3/12/2008

John Walsh, host of "America's Most Wanted" television show and civilian crime fighter spoke Tuesday morning with the Reno Gazette-Journal.

Question: What about this case appealed to the show?


Anwer: This one was easy to choose. The evidence showed that it was not just a random homicide, but it was a serial rapist at-large who crossed the line and killed someone. I've been doing this show for 20 years, and many of these guys escalate in violence. Serial rapists sometimes turns into serial killers.

It's a horrible fact that innocent women on the streets of this college town are vulnerable. Brianna was taken right out of a living room. This could be your beautiful daughter in college, and you have the hopes someday she will contribute to society, and her life is ended by some sicko nightmare.

I thought this guy would be easy to catch because we've had some pretty good descriptions and quirks about him, like a shaved pubic area. I've caught guys on "America's Most Wanted" with less information. This is a dangerous guy who is preying on women. We have to catch him.

Q: How important are tips?


A: It's the power of the public. We have caught nearly 1,000 fugitives in the 20 years we have been on the air. We put the information out there and ask the public to do the right thing.

A lot of people are terrified of calling the police and don't want to be involved in a person's prosecution. When you call, you can be anonymous and the call lines are not answered by cops. No cops. Tips are vital.

We have caught the uncatchable because the public -- average, good hearted citizens -- picked up the phone.

A huge percentage of cases are cracked by people doing the right thing.

This guy crossed the line from serial rapist to horrible coward murderer. He's nothing but a coward. Someone needs to come forward because someone knows him.

Q: Should the community still be concerned?


A: I'm sure when you go to your car at night when you're leaving work, you're going to be looking over your shoulder to make sure he's not in the parking lot. When these guys are out there, as cunning as they are, as lucky as this guy is, you are at risk.

Q: Your thoughts on DNA and suspects?


A: I have been involved with DNA and trying to establish the national database for years.

When my son was murdered in 1981, there was no DNA. The main suspect was in prison, and the FBI said they would gladly test a piece of bloody carpeting found in his car. But the Hollywood, Fla., police department lost the evidence. It was a terrible travesty.

We would have known if he murdered Adam because he recanted his confession. We've never gotten justice.

We had worked to get all states to collect the DNA of every felon. When we first did it in Florida, within six months, 80 cases were solved and 11 people were freed. DNA convicts the guilty, and frees the innocent.

We need to enter in evidence from rape kits into the national database.

Wouldn't you want to know if the person who raped you was the serial rapist or a criminal on the loose?

We are also working so that every person accused of a felony would have to submit their DNA. It's something that should have been done years ago.

We are also finding that due to staffing shortages or lack of funding, that parolees are out there committing murders and no one made the link because their DNA was not yet in the system. It really needs to be a state and federal priority.

http://news.rgj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080312/NEWS10/803120438&theme=

[klaasend]

http://www.rgj.com/article/20081125/NEWS18/81126003&OAS_sitepage=news.rgj.com%2Fbreakingnews



November 25, 2008


Reno police arrest suspect in Denison killing

By John Smetana
jsmetana@rgj.com

Reno police Tuesday arrested a suspect in the slaying of Brianna Denison, ending a 10-month hunt for the man who abducted the 19-year-old Reno High School graduate from a friend’s home in January.

James Biela was booked into the Washoe County Jail on charges of murder, kidnapping in the first degree and sexual assault, but could not confirm he is the suspect in the Denison case.

Biela was arrested at the Stepping Stones Children's Center, where officials said he was dropping off his son. Reno police took a DNA sample from the suspect and said it would take 12 hours to process.

Police spokesman Steve Frady issued a one-sentence news release announcing a news conference at 10:30 a.m. today. He would not say whether the suspect was arrested in Reno or elsewhere.

Denison, a sophomore at a Santa Barbara, Calif., college was abducted about 4:30 a.m. Jan. 20 as she slept in the living room of a friend’s home at 1395 Mackay Court, a block from the University of Nevada, Reno campus. Police said Denison would have been visible through a glass door.

Her body was found Feb. 15 in a field in south Reno. Volunteers throughout the community had helped police search for clues, then turned their efforts to finding her killer.

Candlelight vigils were held, and two national missing children’s organizations sent investigators to Reno.

Police said they recovered DNA evidence at the scene that would link a suspect to the crime. The DNA samples also linked Denison’s killer to three other sexually related attacks on women at or near UNR from October to December 2007.

During the investigation, $291,163 was raised from 223 donors in response to the sheriff’s request for money to process a backlog of 3,000 DNA samples.

[Red]

Reno Nevada Police Arrest Suspect James Biela in Brianna Denison Murder

http://scaredmonkeys.com/2008/11/26/reno-nevada-police-arrest-suspect-james-biela-in-brianna-denison-murder/

Could this man actually be the serial rapist connected to at least 3 reported assaults in Reno area?

Nice, they arrested him as he was dropping his son off to school. 

[MuffyBee]

Tip, DNA lead to arrest in student's slaying
By Mallory Simon
CNN

(CNN) -- Police in Reno, Nevada, say they have solved one of their most haunting cold cases, arresting a construction worker in the slaying of 19-year-old college student Brianna Denison.
 A secret witness tip and DNA samples taken first from the suspect's son and finally from the man himself cracked the case, authorities said Wednesday.

James Michael Biela, 27, was arrested Tuesday night and booked on suspicion of kidnapping, murder and sexual assault in connection with Denison's slaying and an attack of another woman the previous month.

The arrest marked a major milestone in a 10-month-long manhunt for Denison's killer. Police said they received 2,278 tips.

The tip that cracked the case came November 1 through the Secret Witness hot line, police said.

Denison, 19, was attending college in Santa Barbara, California, and was visiting friends at the University of Nevada, Reno. She was reported missing after she slept on a friend's couch at an off-campus student apartment.

Denison's friends woke early January 20 and couldn't find her. A small blood stain was on her pillow, and her shoes, purse and cell phone were left behind.

Three weeks later, her body was found partially covered in snow in a nearby field. She'd been sexually assaulted and strangled.
 
During the investigation, police focused on the killer's unusual "calling card." Authorities said the suspect had a fetish for women's lingerie and took his victims' panties, leaving a previous victim's panties at the scene. The asked for help from anyone who knew about a women's black thong, size small, that was found near Denison's body.

Denison's slaying attracted nationwide attention and gripped the Reno community during the early months of 2008. State and federal law enforcement agencies worked side by side to run down each of the 2,278 tips.

"No one should have to suffer as Brianna Denison did," Washoe County Sheriff Mike Haley said, standing beside a large photo of Denison. "Brianna became everyone's daughter."

Lauren Denison, the victim's aunt, spoke with tears in her eyes, thanking law enforcement and the media for working together so they "could get this guy." Wearing a large button memorializing her niece, she added, "We are pleased that this person is off the street and he cannot hurt anyone else."

Reno Police Chief Michael Poehlman said a friend of Biela's girlfriend called the tip line, suggesting him as a suspect. According to the tipster, the girlfriend told her that she had found women's underwear in Biela's car and confronted him about it.

The information "indicated that Biela's activities and behavior made him a likely suspect," police said, without providing further details.

After identifying him as a potential suspect, police conducted surveillance on Biela, who worked as a pipe fitter. Police interviewed him and asked whether he would submit a DNA sample, but he refused, they said.

Detectives then spoke with Biela's girlfriend, who allowed police to take a DNA sample from their 4-year-old son, Poehlman said.

Police said that sample matched the boy's father to DNA evidence found both at the scene where Denison's body was found and on a rear door of the student apartment from which she was abducted.

The DNA also was matched to another sexual assault near the Reno campus in December 2007, police said.

Police took Biela into custody Tuesday on his way to pick up his son from day care, Poehlman said.

After his arrest, investigators obtained a search warrant and collected a DNA sample from Biela. Authorities worked through the night at the crime lab to complete DNA testing, which directly linked Biela to the the crime scene, police said.

Police learned that Biela left Nevada to take a job in Washington state in March, Poehlman said, noting that it was around the time a vehicle description and a composite sketch of a suspect were released to the media.
advertisement

During the drive to Washington, Biela sold his truck, a Toyota extended cab pickup, which matched witness descriptions. Police have recovered the truck and are conducting tests on fibers for evidence.

Police said they think that the attack was random and that Denison did not personally know Biela.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/11/26/brianna.denison.arrest/

[Red]

Brianna Denison Update: Father Of Suspect Speaks Out

http://www.ktnv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9423882

Police in Reno arrested a suspect in the murder of Brianna Denison, and now that suspect's father is speaking out.

27-year-old James Biela of Sparks is behind bars Thursday morning.

Investigators call him a serial rapist.

His girlfriend tipped off police after finding underwear in Biela's trunk.

Denison vanished after staying at a friend's house.

Her body was found two months later in a field south of Reno.

The father of James Biela is talking about the possibility that his son may have committed the crimes.

He said he was upset to hear of his son's arrest.

He appeared to show more sympathy for the Denisons.

Joseph Biela says he has not seen his son for more than a year, and found out about the arrest from the news.