A suspected serial killer who is currently on death row in Florida has been connected to the unsolved murder of a woman whose body was discovered in 1998. The Broward County Sheriff’s Office announced on Wednesday that Eileen Truppner has been identified as the victim through DNA evidence. Truppner’s body was found in a grassy area by a boater and she had been raped, murdered, and left for dead. Sheriff Gregory Tony stated during a news conference that there had been no closure or justice for Truppner for over 20 years, but now her identity is known, providing a sense of closure for the community and her family.
When Truppner’s body was initially found, investigators only had a sketch and her clothing to work with. However, with the assistance of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s genetic genealogy unit, DNA from three of Truppner’s sisters was used to track down her killer. It was discovered that Lucious Boyd, who is already on death row for another murder that occurred around the same time as Truppner’s, is the suspected killer. Boyd has been indicted for first-degree murder and sexual battery in Truppner’s case.
Truppner, who had moved to Miami from Puerto Rico in the 1990s to take English classes, experienced a decline in her mental health and lost custody of her children. Her sister, Nancy Truppner, revealed that she had suffered from postpartum depression and struggled with the rapid birth of her second child. Nancy also mentioned that Eileen had lost touch with everyone in August 1998.
During the investigation, detectives initially suspected Roberto Wagner Fernandes, a serial killer linked to three homicides. However, it was ultimately discovered that Truppner’s DNA matched Boyd’s. Investigators believe that Boyd took advantage of Truppner’s mental health struggles when he allegedly killed her. Boyd had previously been sentenced to death for the murder of 21-year-old Dawnia Dacosta, who had encountered him after running out of gas and accepting a ride from him. Dacosta’s body was found wrapped in sheets and a plastic shower curtain behind a warehouse.
Boyd is also suspected in several other murders, leading investigators to believe that he is a serial killer. The case highlights the importance of DNA evidence and genetic genealogy in solving cold cases and bringing closure to victims’ families.
