Serial Rapist: DNA Link Between Missing Brianna Denison and December Sexual Assault of University of Nevada-Reno Student

19 year old Brianna Denison has been missing since January 20, 2008, when she went missing without a trace from a Reno, NV friends home. Blood was found on her pillow and her cell phone and purse were left behind.

Police are now saying that there is a DNA link between the missing Brianna Denison and a prior sexual assault that occurred on December 16 of a University of Nevada – Reno student. The DNA was a match. It would appear that the Reno, Nevada area has a serial rapist on their hands.

Police said Sunday a DNA link between the disappearance of a 19-year-old woman and the December sexual assault of a college student leads them to believe a sole attacker was responsible for both cases.

DNA taken from the scene where Brianna Denison was last seen Jan. 20 matches DNA gathered after the Dec. 16 sexual assault of a University of Nevada-Reno student who lived several blocks away,
police commander Ron Holladay said.

Police believe a white male in his 30s is responsible for Denison’s disappearance and the attack, Holladay said.

“Our chances of capturing the suspect are exponentially increased now because of the DNA,” he said. “He probably lives in the area. It’s still my hope that Brianna is alive, and we’re expending every resource possible to get her back safely.”

Holladay said the victim of the earlier attack was interviewed again after the DNA match was made and that a more detailed description of the suspect was developed.

That victim was abducted outside her home on Dec. 16, taken to another location and sexually assaulted, then brought home by her
attacker, Holladay said. She also was the victim of a Jan. 19 attempted burglary at her home that may be connected to the attacker, Holladay said. (KOLO-TV)

Denison abduction linked to previous case

Police are trying to establish a link from the Nov. 13 sexual assault on the female UNR student to the attempted burglary at her home in the same neighborhood.

Police described the suspect and his vehicle: A white male, 28 to 40 years old, long face with a square chin, taller than 5 feet 6 inches but not much, very strong but not with a significantly muscular build. He had a belly that was described as not excessively large and firm but not flabby, an “innie” belly button, shaved pubic region, a light covering of hair on his arms.

The man had no jewelry or wristwatch, facial hair about a quarter to a half an inch long below his chin and was soft and not prickly as stubble normally is.