Cold Case Breakthrough: Robert Stewart Accused of Two-Decade-Old Murder
Oct 12, 2023, 10:00 AM
After 20 years, the quest for justice may finally be nearing its end for the family of Herman Brown. Robert Stewart, a 64-year-old man, has been indicted for a murder that has remained unsolved for two decades.
The Scene of the Crime
On a chilly day on February 15, 2003, a distressing call came into the Cincinnati Police Department. A concerned 911 caller reported a "strong odor coming from the apartment" located at 2572 Sarvis Court. Responding to the call, officers embarked on what was expected to be a routine welfare check. However, the scene they encountered was anything but ordinary.
Inside the apartment, they found the lifeless body of Herman Brown "lying naked on the floor." The grim setting was accentuated by the presence of stab wounds on Brown's body and an extension cord that was tightly wound around his neck. Further investigations revealed the presence of blood in the bathroom sink, indicating a struggle or an attempt to clean up after the crime.
Vital Evidence Left Behind
At the time of discovery, the Prosecutor’s Office revealed that the investigators had collected a number of key evidence from the crime scene. Among these were six cigarette butts, a DNA swab from Brown's genitals, and the aforementioned blood sample from the bathroom sink.
An analysis of the blood sample showed the presence of two distinct DNA profiles. One was, understandably, from the victim. But the second one, which also matched the DNA found on Brown's genitals and the cigarette butts, belonged to an unidentified individual.
Despite the presence of such clear evidence, the investigators were faced with a daunting challenge. They couldn't match the unidentified DNA profile to any known individual in their database. As the days turned into months and months into years, the leads dried up. The case, like so many before it, went cold.
A Renewed Hope
But as Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers confidently remarked, "These dedicated detectives never give up on their cases. They never give up on their victims. They will continue to investigate until the case is solved — no matter how long it takes." Her words rang true when, two decades later, a glimmer of hope emerged.
Making use of advances in forensic science, investigators decided to revisit the case. They re-extracted the unidentified DNA profile, this time from the cigarette butts. Submitting this to a forensic genetic genealogy search, a process which has revolutionized cold case investigations in recent years, they identified a potential suspect: Robert Stewart.
Further detailed analysis sealed the deal, verifying beyond a doubt that Stewart was the source of the DNA found scattered at the crime scene.
The Arrest
Upon identifying Stewart as a prime suspect, the police acted swiftly. Stewart was apprehended in Lima, Ohio, on September 15. After the arrest, he was promptly extradited back to Hamilton County, where he now awaits his fate in the Hamilton County Justice Center. A bond has been set at a staggering $500,000.
As for the charges, the Oct. 2 news release from Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers elucidated that Stewart has been indicted on two counts of murder and an additional count of felonious assault in connection with Herman Brown’s death. If found guilty, he may potentially face a life sentence.
In Conclusion
The tragic death of Herman Brown and the subsequent twenty-year-long pursuit of justice is a testament to the perseverance of our law enforcement agencies. While it's still early days in the legal proceedings against Robert Stewart, one thing is clear: detectives and forensic experts, armed with determination and the latest in scientific advancements, have brought hope to a case that once seemed lost in the annals of time.
The developments in this case serve as a beacon of hope for countless other unsolved cases, reminding us that justice, no matter how delayed, can still be attained.
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The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The Scene of the Crime
On a chilly day on February 15, 2003, a distressing call came into the Cincinnati Police Department. A concerned 911 caller reported a "strong odor coming from the apartment" located at 2572 Sarvis Court. Responding to the call, officers embarked on what was expected to be a routine welfare check. However, the scene they encountered was anything but ordinary.
Inside the apartment, they found the lifeless body of Herman Brown "lying naked on the floor." The grim setting was accentuated by the presence of stab wounds on Brown's body and an extension cord that was tightly wound around his neck. Further investigations revealed the presence of blood in the bathroom sink, indicating a struggle or an attempt to clean up after the crime.
Vital Evidence Left Behind
At the time of discovery, the Prosecutor’s Office revealed that the investigators had collected a number of key evidence from the crime scene. Among these were six cigarette butts, a DNA swab from Brown's genitals, and the aforementioned blood sample from the bathroom sink.
An analysis of the blood sample showed the presence of two distinct DNA profiles. One was, understandably, from the victim. But the second one, which also matched the DNA found on Brown's genitals and the cigarette butts, belonged to an unidentified individual.
Despite the presence of such clear evidence, the investigators were faced with a daunting challenge. They couldn't match the unidentified DNA profile to any known individual in their database. As the days turned into months and months into years, the leads dried up. The case, like so many before it, went cold.
A Renewed Hope
But as Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers confidently remarked, "These dedicated detectives never give up on their cases. They never give up on their victims. They will continue to investigate until the case is solved — no matter how long it takes." Her words rang true when, two decades later, a glimmer of hope emerged.
Making use of advances in forensic science, investigators decided to revisit the case. They re-extracted the unidentified DNA profile, this time from the cigarette butts. Submitting this to a forensic genetic genealogy search, a process which has revolutionized cold case investigations in recent years, they identified a potential suspect: Robert Stewart.
Further detailed analysis sealed the deal, verifying beyond a doubt that Stewart was the source of the DNA found scattered at the crime scene.
The Arrest
Upon identifying Stewart as a prime suspect, the police acted swiftly. Stewart was apprehended in Lima, Ohio, on September 15. After the arrest, he was promptly extradited back to Hamilton County, where he now awaits his fate in the Hamilton County Justice Center. A bond has been set at a staggering $500,000.
As for the charges, the Oct. 2 news release from Hamilton County Prosecutor Melissa Powers elucidated that Stewart has been indicted on two counts of murder and an additional count of felonious assault in connection with Herman Brown’s death. If found guilty, he may potentially face a life sentence.
In Conclusion
The tragic death of Herman Brown and the subsequent twenty-year-long pursuit of justice is a testament to the perseverance of our law enforcement agencies. While it's still early days in the legal proceedings against Robert Stewart, one thing is clear: detectives and forensic experts, armed with determination and the latest in scientific advancements, have brought hope to a case that once seemed lost in the annals of time.
The developments in this case serve as a beacon of hope for countless other unsolved cases, reminding us that justice, no matter how delayed, can still be attained.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com