The murder of Sandra DiFelice: Paul Nuttal charged in 1980 rape and killing of 25-yr-old mom
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers' discretion advised
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA: A man has been arrested for a cold murder he allegedly committed four decades ago. Paul Nuttall, 64, was apprehended for the 1980 murder of 25-year-old Sandra DiFelice after officials linked him to the crime using new DNA technology, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department announced Monday, November 1.
Sandra DiFelice, a mother of one toddler, was found dead in her East Las Vegas home on December 26, 1980, at around 9.30 pm, reported New York Post. Authorities believe, Nuttall, who was then 21, used a deadly weapon and sexually assaulted DiFelice before killing her with the weapon and burglarizing her home.
READ MORE
Georgia teenager, 17, who was raped at knifepoint, rescued after sharing location via tracking app
During the investigation, evidence suggested DiFelice was raped, Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said. Authorities had questioned Nuttall about the grisly murder but were unable to pin him on the murder. Then police questioned DiFelice’s roommate who said she saw Nuttall standing outside the home earlier that day, according to documents obtained by 8 News Now.
(LVMPD/ Facebook)
“Nuttall asked if he could sleep in the house, as he had nowhere else to go,” the report said. “[The roommate] said she could not allow that because [DiFelice] was in the house and didn’t know him well.” LVMPD Lt Jason Johansson said Nuttall knew the roommate and may have met DiFelice in passing. The officers collected numerous items of evidence but were unable to identify a suspect at the time. Nevertheless, the cold-blooded murder remained unsolved until cold-case detectives reviewed it in February 2021.
The officials resubmitted the evidence for testing using new DNA technology and the reports came back as a match. DNA found under DiFelice’s fingernails matched a recent sample from Nuttall that detectives had taken from him in early October, according to the source. Officers also found a drinking glass in DiFelice’s home with a fingerprint that they later found matched Nuttall, as well as “numerous black or dark hairs” on her stomach. At last, police were able to nail Nuttall as the alleged killer after four decades. He was arrested on Thursday on warrants issued for open murder with the use of a deadly weapon, sexual assault with the use of a deadly weapon, and burglary while in possession of a deadly weapon, claimed the source.