Charlotte Police Solve 33-Year-Old Cold Case Rape of Senior Citizen Using Familial DNA Matching

Charlotte police use familial DNA to arrest Willie James Little for the 1993 rape of a 79-year-old woman, solving a 33-year-old cold case.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 24, 2026, 10:09 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Charlotte Observer

A Predatory Intrusion in the Early Morning Hours

The resolution of a decades-old tragedy began with a violent breach of safety in the summer of 1993. According to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department records, an unidentified man entered a residence at 322 Benjamin St. at approximately 3 a.m. on July 9, targeting 79-year-old Lois Gist Hunter while she was in her bed. The victim reported that her assailant forced his way into the apartment, located just west of South Tryon Street, and committed a sexual assault before fleeing the premises. Despite the initial investigation, the case remained dormant for years as the identity of the intruder stayed a mystery.

The Long Path Toward a Genetic Breakthrough

Advancements in forensic technology provided the necessary tools to revive the investigation long after the physical evidence was first collected. In 2018, police successfully extracted a DNA profile from the preserved evidence, though it did not yield an immediate hit in traditional criminal databases. The pivotal turning point occurred in 2025 when investigators utilized familial DNA matching, a process that identifies biological relatives of an unknown suspect. This technique allowed detectives to narrow their focus to a specific family lineage, according to an official CMPD news release.

Extensive Genealogical Review Points to a Relative

Cold case detectives spent months conducting a comprehensive review of family histories following the 2025 genetic match. This genealogical investigation eventually led authorities to identify Willie James Little as a primary person of interest. To ensure scientific certainty, investigators obtained additional DNA samples in 2026, which confirmed a direct match between Little and the biological material recovered from the crime scene. The suspect, who is reportedly a relative of the victim, was 24 years old at the time the assault occurred.