(KRON) — More than three decades after an avid runner, Maria Weidhofer, was strangled to death near Berkeley, her killer has finally been identified through forensic DNA testing, investigators said.
Weidhofer, 32, was found deceased with a rope around her neck in Tilden Regional Park, where she frequently went jogging. Her body was found on Nov. 16, 1990 on a trail near Inspiration Point. The runner, who had been reported missing the previous night, was sexually assaulted by her assailant, investigators said.
Police also found evidence that a struggle ensued before the woman died.
“An autopsy performed at the time of the crime found that Weidhofer’s cause of death was asphyxia by ligature strangulation. A lengthy investigation was conducted in 1990-1991 by the East Bay Regional Park District Police Department,” EBRPDPD wrote.
“Among the evidence collected, during the initial investigation, was semen from which a DNA profile was generated. A suspect was not identified from this initial investigation,” investigators wrote.
The case went cold for decades. In 2020, the East Bay Regional Park District Police Investigations Unit began working with the FBI to reopen the cold case. Using advanced DNA techniques, a man named Jon Lipari was determined to be a primary suspect in 2024.
Weidhofer and Lipari did not know each other, police said.
In November of 2024, Lipari killed himself at home in Curry County, Oregon. His cause of death was determined to be from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, police said, and investigators took a sample of his DNA.
DNA collected from the homicide scene in Tilden Regional Park was compared to Lipari’s DNA. “The comparison determined the DNA profiles generated from the evidence collected at the original scene and the DNA from Lipari were a match,” the police department wrote.
The investigation also determined that Lipari lived in Gold Beach, Ore. after the park slaying.
EBRPDPD Chief Roberto Filice said, “We hope that today’s development brings some measure of closure to the family, who have shown tremendous strength throughout this difficult time. This breakthrough comes after years of relentless investigation, and I want to personally thank our dedicated staff for their perseverance and firm commitment to seeking justice. Their determination to never give up ultimately led to solving this case.”
(KRON) — More than three decades after an avid runner, Maria Weidhofer, was strangled to death near Berkeley, her killer has finally been identified through forensic DNA testing, investigators said. Weidhofer, 32, was found deceased with a rope around her neck in Tilden Regional Park, where she frequently went jogging. Her body was found on […]
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