Hampden District Attorney’s Office to Conduct DNA Collection for 1990 Homicide Case
In a significant push to rekindle interest in the 1990 homicide of 17-year-old Shana Renee Price, the Hampden District Attorney’s Office is set to conduct a forensic investigative genetic genealogy (FIGG) DNA collection event on Sunday, December 21. This outreach effort coincides with the forthcoming 35th anniversary of Price’s tragic death, which remains an unsolved case within the Springfield community.
Shana Price, a vibrant teenager and mother to a young son, was discovered near the main entrance of Blunt Park in Springfield on December 26, 1990. An autopsy confirmed that her death was the result of a violent assault, leading investigators to classify it as a homicide. Despite having a DNA profile linked to her case, law enforcement officials have yet to establish a match using conventional forensic databases like CODIS (Combined DNA Index System).
In an effort to generate new leads, authorities released a composite sketch of Price in 2022, aiming to engage the community while leveraging advancements in forensic science. The upcoming DNA collection event is part of these ongoing efforts, emphasizing the importance of public participation in solving cold cases.
The FIGG technique employed during this initiative combines traditional DNA analysis with genealogical research. This method allows forensic scientists to compare crime scene DNA with publicly accessible genealogy databases, potentially identifying distant relatives of unknown suspects, even those related by several degrees of separation. This innovative approach has proven effective in various investigations, enabling law enforcement to construct family trees that help narrow down leads and, in some instances, identify individuals who have evaded justice for many years.
Earlier this year, FIGG contributed to the successful resolution of a long-standing sexual assault case within Hampden County, underscoring the technique’s increasing utility in law enforcement.
The forthcoming DNA collection event will mark the second community outreach effort in connection with the Shana Price investigation, following an initial event earlier this year. Investigators are dedicated to exploring all potential avenues in hopes of delivering overdue answers to Price’s family.
Participants in the DNA collection will not only aid the investigation but will receive complimentary ancestry and family tree information—a service typically valued at several hundred dollars. This initiative offers community members a unique opportunity to engage with a case that, over three decades later, remains poignant for many.
“We have not forgotten Shana Price or her family, even more than three decades later,” stated Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni. He reiterated his office’s commitment to utilizing all available investigative resources, including forensic genealogy, to seek justice on behalf of Price.
Authorities are urging anyone with pertinent information regarding the homicide of Shana Renee Price to come forward by contacting the Springfield Police Detective Bureau at 413-787-6355, or anonymously through the Text-A-Tip service by texting 274637 and typing “SOLVE” followed by the relevant tip.
This ongoing investigation signifies not only a legal pursuit of justice but also a communal effort to bring closure to a case that has lingered for far too long in the collective memory of Springfield residents.