DNA Evidence Cracks Cold Case

Beaumont police officers say DNA evidence has helped them solve a four year old sexual assault case.

An 85 year old woman was beaten and raped in her Beaumont home in 2002.

On Thursday, 38 year old Donald Ray Malveaux was indicted for the crime.

A warrant was issued for his arrest, but so far, officers haven't found him.

Authorities say on Halloween night in 2002, an elderly woman heard a noise at her back door, and when she opened it, a man forced his way inside and attacked her.

Detectives say an investigation was launched, but no suspects were ever identified until now.

Thursday, Donald Ray Malveaux was indicted for the crime four years after the assault.

Detectives recently determined his DNA matches that of the person who assaulted the woman.

DNA samples are taken of felony inmates when they start their sentences and Malveaux had previously been convicted of unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

He served one year in state jail.

Authorities have an address for Malveaux in Killeen, but he has not been located.

When investigators went to notify the victim, they discovered that she had died of natural causes soon after Hurricane Rita.

Prosecutors say although she is not here to testify, they will use the scientific evidence in the trial.

Prosecutors say they are having a difficult time locating family members of the elderly victim.

The attack happened in 2002 at her home in the 3900 block of Fonville.

If you have information about family members of this victim, call the Jefferson County District Attorney's Office at 835-8550.

Wayln Thompson/Asst. District Attorney

"Any time we can get justice for someone, even if they are deceased, we certainly want to do that. We will seek to prosecute if we can prove guilt. We will do everything to do it."

Lt. John Boles/Beaumont Police Department

"You can get a little bit of justice in this case for the victim's family and you can maybe prevent this same person from re-offending and doing this to someone else."