The Ventura Police Department recently announced a breakthrough in a cold case homicide dating back to 1991, providing closure to the family of the victim after more than three decades of uncertainty. Through the use of advanced forensic genetic genealogy techniques, investigators identified Larry Welch as the perpetrator in the brutal killing of 42-year-old Danielle Clause.
Clause's sister, Marcie Forte, expressed relief and gratitude upon learning of the resolution of the case. She recalled the devastating sight of her sister's badly beaten body in the mortuary, emphasizing the emotional toll the unsolved murder had taken on their family over the years.
Danielle Clause was found dead on a hillside near downtown Ventura in July 1991, having been sexually assaulted and succumbed to multiple blunt-force injuries to her head. Despite the initial investigation, the case went cold until 2021 when police decided to retest crime scene evidence for DNA.
Utilizing forensic genetic genealogy and phenotyping techniques, investigators were able to develop a family tree and positively identify Larry Welch as the suspect. Welch, who passed away in 1999, had no known connection to Clause at the time of her murder.
Reflecting on her sister's life, Forte described Danielle as more than just a victim, highlighting her roles as an artist, daughter, sister, mother, and wife. She emphasized Danielle's positive qualities and the impact her untimely death had on their family.
The Ventura Police Department acknowledged that there are still over 25 cold cases in their files, ranging from homicides to missing persons. Despite the passage of time, the department remains committed to seeking justice for victims and their families, as demonstrated by the recent resolution of Danielle Clause's case.
