Detective Cracks Cold Cases After Decades
Detective Susan Logothetti from the Everett Police Department, north of Seattle, focuses on solving cold cases. One particular case from 1984 captivated her attention: the murder of Judy Weaver, a 42-year-old mother and bar manager.
The Murder of Judy Weaver
Judy Weaver, known for her strong personality, managed the Bel-Nes Cafe on Hewitt Avenue. According to her daughters, she was tough on unruly customers. Judy had a volatile relationship with her fiancé, Bill Richards, who was suspected of being abusive.
Final Night
On June 1, 1984, Judy and Bill celebrated selling the bar with friends. Intoxicated, Judy chose to walk home, leaving Bill behind. Tragically, her journey home ended in an attack. Firefighters later found her strangled and sexually assaulted in her apartment, which had been set on fire.
The Investigation
Detective Logothetti was determined to solve the case. Despite Bill Richards being the prime suspect, advances in DNA technology pointed to another individual. In 2023, the DNA matched Mitchell Allen Gaff, a known sex offender.
Mitchell Allen Gaff
Gaff had a violent past, including a 1979 assault on Jackie Brown, a young police officer. After serving time for multiple assaults, he was released in 2018 under strict conditions.
The Breakthrough
Detective Logothetti devised a plan to obtain DNA from Gaff by offering him chewing gum during a ruse. Gaff’s DNA matched the evidence from Judy Weaver’s case, leading to his arrest.
More Connections
A call from Ken Vesey about his wife’s unsolved 1980 murder led Logothetti to investigate further. The case bore similarities to Judy Weaver’s, and Gaff’s DNA matched the evidence from the Vesey crime scene.
Legal Proceedings
Mitchell Gaff, who changed his name to Sam Price, faced trial for both murders. He eventually pleaded guilty, resulting in a 50-year sentence, effectively ensuring he would spend the rest of his life in prison.
Family members of the victims expressed mixed emotions, relieved by the conviction but scarred by their losses. Detective Logothetti’s relentless pursuit brought closure to decades-old cases, highlighting her dedication to justice.