Researchers used DNA from a fork to solve a 15-year-old Queens cold case this week, arresting a 41-year-old man who brutally murdered his uncle. Anthony Scalici, 41, of Boynton Beach, Fla., was extradited to New York City and charged with second-degree murder in the Feb. 10, 2009, slaying of Rosario Prestigiacomo, 64. in Ridgewood, Queens.
According to the Queens district attorney's office, Scalici savagely stabbed his uncle 16 times and beat him with a shovel. The connection to Scalici was made through DNA obtained from a fork he used at a restaurant in Florida. This case is the first in New York City where a homicide suspect was identified and arrested using public genealogy databases.
We secured a manslaughter charge in the killing of 15-year-old Rosario Prestigiacomo in Ridgewood.
This case demonstrates the relentless research and collaboration of my office and @NYPDnews. We will not rest until justice is served. https://t.co/qIlHXZFuyN pic.twitter.com/WQRmNKOTLi
— Queens DA Katz (@QueensDAKatz) May 30, 2024
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First responders found Prestigiacomo face down in a hallway in a pool of blood, with blood splattered on the walls. He had been stabbed in the face, neck, torso and limbs, with puncture wounds to his lung, esophagus, chest and lower stomach, and had also suffered blunt force injuries.
The motive for the killing is still unclear. Initial investigations yielded few leads despite detectives collecting several blood swabs and a male DNA profile. It wasn't until March 2022 that researchers turned to forensic genetic genealogy and enlisted the help of private laboratory Orthram Inc. and the US Department of Homeland Security.
Three months later, Orthram used advanced DNA testing to create a complete genealogical profile of the suspect, which was then uploaded to public databases. Linda Doyle of the NYPD's Forensic Investigations Division built a family tree to identify possible suspects or family members. The Queens District Attorney's Office and the NYPD's Cold Case Squad took over the investigation last December, eventually identifying Scalici as the suspect.
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In February, cold case detectives and Boynton Beach police put Scalici under surveillance. Florida detectives obtained a fork that Scalici used at a restaurant, which matched the DNA profile and DNA found under one of the victim's fingernails.
Scalici was arrested in Florida on May 14 by local police, US Marshals and the NYPD Regional Fugitive Task Force. During his appearance before Supreme Court Justice Kenneth Holder, Scalici was held without bail. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years in prison.
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