How Claire Gravel's murder was solved nearly 4 decades later
Summary
Claire Gravel, a 20-year-old college student, was found strangled near Salem, Massachusetts, in 1986. Nearly 40 years later, police used new DNA technology to solve her murder and convict a suspect.Key Facts
- Claire Gravel was a political science student at Salem State College.
- She was found strangled with her own tank top along a highway near Salem in 1986.
- Police investigated hundreds of leads over decades but initially had no solid suspect.
- Advances in touch DNA testing in 2004 allowed police to analyze Claire’s tank top for DNA evidence.
- In 2007, a male DNA profile was found but did not match anyone in the national DNA database at the time.
- After many years, investigators connected the DNA profile to a suspect, leading to a conviction.
- The case was featured on ABC's "20/20" in September 2026, highlighting the family’s relief after decades of uncertainty.
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