30-year-old Missoula murder solved

MISSOULA A 30-year-old Missoula murder has been solved, and police say the suspect has committed suicide.

Verna Joy Kvale (KWALLEY) was beaten, sexually assaulted and stabbed to death on April 18th, 1976.

Police were able to connect a suspect to the crime in January, and former funeral home director Neil Morris volunteered a D-N-A sample.

Today, police announced his D-N-A matched forensic evidence found at the crime scene. Such technology was not available in 1976.

Officers say Morris shot himself in the head on February 11th, about 27 hours after the D-N-A sample was taken. He was 55.

Prosecutors say after Morris killed himself, lab results showed D-N-A evidence found at the crime scene matched Morris. County Attorney Fred Van Valkenburg said Morris would have been charged with murder.

Authorities said Morris had an affair with Kvale, a schoolteacher, on and off for some time prior to her death.