Science solved this. Sheriff says DNA led to arrest in 88-year-old Lennon womans cold case murder – mlive.com

LENNON, MI -- DNA evidence placed the man who has been charged in the 1997 death of 88-year-old Mary Prieur at the scene of the crime, according to Genesee County law enforcement officials.

Michael Bur, 41, of Lennon has been charged with single counts of felony murder, first-degree criminal sexual conduct and kidnapping in the death of Prieur.

Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson announced the charges Thursday, Nov. 11.

At a Wednesday, Nov. 17 news conference, he offered some additional details on the case.

He said testing of biological material led to Burs arrest.

Related: Suspect arrested in 1997 cold case murder of 88-year-old Lennon woman

Prieurs body was found around 2 p.m. Feb. 27, 1997, in the area of Lennon Road and M-13.

Her brother-in-law called police around noon that day after finding the door to Prieurs residence ajar and the dog inside, but no signs of Prieur, according to Flint Journal records.

Michigan State Police canine teams taking part in training in the area responded to the scene. A trooper and K-9 officer spotted her body, wrapped in a blanket, roughly two hours after her disappearance was first reported.

An autopsy revealed Prieur had been suffocated and beaten in the head.

Over the years, billboards have gone up and door hangers placed on homes in the community, as well as police finding DNA that confirmed Prieur was sexually assaulted prior to her death.

One billboard featuring a photo of Prieur read Do you know who killed me!

Signs didnt solve this, but science solved this, Swanson said Wednesday.

Swanson was assigned Prieurs case in 2002 when he was a captain at the sheriffs office.

Investigators collected and stored biological material at the time of Prieurs death, Swanson said. Over the years technology advanced and eventually was able to match that material with Burs DNA and place him at the scene of the crime.

Biological material collected is a 1 in 1.9 octillion match for Bur, Swanson said.

Thats 26 zeros for that guy, Swanson said, pointing at a mugshot of Bur.

Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton said it is important to remember a suspect is innocent until proven guilty in the court of law.

I think its a proper statement for me to tell you that we have that DNA evidence, Leyton said. We have evidence that I am convinced comes from the victim, comes from the accused, match up and, in fact, we will be able to present that in a courtroom.

The prosecutor noted foundational evidence is also needed to prove the evidence was taken and tested appropriately.

I believe we have probable cause and beyond a reasonable doubt that we can get there, he said.

Drag marks from the home down to the creek where the victim was found can also be used as evidence, Leyton said. A witness gave a statement a few years ago as well and is still available to testify today.

That is the evidence that was presented to me that I feel, within the bounds of ethics, that I can share with you today that led me to write my name on this warrant, charging this man with these heinous crimes. Well do the rest of our talking in court.

Ultimately, officials want closure for Prieurs family, Leyton said.

Swanson and Leyton thanked Michigan State Police Crime Lab investigators.

These folks are key players in the criminal justice system, Leyton said.

Technological advances helped get investigators to the point where charges could be filed in this case, MSP Lt. Kimberly Vetter said.

Vetter thanked the multiple departments involved in the investigation.

Co-operations between departments is critical to the success of all of us, she said.

Prieur was known as a staple in the Lennon community who was often seen walking her dog Pookie while on the way to grab some food at a local bar, according to prior reporting.

She was a regular attendee at multiple churches including St. Marys in Swartz Creek and St. Robert in Flushing.

Related: Murder of 88-year-old Lennon woman remains unsolved 21 years later

Community members rallied after Prieurs murder, putting together a $20,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction of the responsible person or persons.

The money was eventually returned to those who donated after no arrest took place within a few months time.

A native of Czechoslovakia, Prieur came to the United States when she was eight years old, according to Journal records.

Prieur opened the candy business Sweet Maries after adding onto the house at Chippewa and Louisa streets in Flint she shared with her husband James.

James Prieur told The Flint Journal for a March 1997 story that his wife learned to make candy in Owosso, where she was a student at St. Pauls until dropping out in eighth grade to help put her sister and brother through school.

She was just the sweetest, kindest lady, said Gloria Schram, Prieurs neighbor, in a February 2012 Flint Journal story.

Bur is being held in the Genesee County Jail without bond. He is scheduled to appear Nov. 24 for a probable cause conference Nov. 24 in front of Genesee District Court Judge William H. Crawford.

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Science solved this. Sheriff says DNA led to arrest in 88-year-old Lennon womans cold case murder - mlive.com