Las Vegas-based nonprofit organization, Project Justice, has gained recognition for its efforts in funding cold case investigations using DNA and forensic genealogy. Founded by Justin Woo and Lydia Ansel, Project Justice started as a private donation to the DNA lab Othram, which specializes in investigative genetics. Since its inception in 2020, the organization has sponsored 22 successful case resolutions.
The idea for Project Justice came about when Woo and Ansel discovered Othram’s groundbreaking work in DNA and forensic genealogy. They made a unique offer to the lab – if Othram found a case in Las Vegas, Project Justice would fully sponsor it. The case that surfaced was the unsolved murder of 14-year-old Stephanie Isaacson in 1989.
With the assistance of Othram and the funds provided by Project Justice, Las Vegas Police were able to identify Darren R. Marchand as the suspect in Isaacson’s murder. Marchand had previously been arrested and released in connection with another murder in 1986, and DNA evidence linked him to both crimes. Despite previous failed attempts, Othram successfully made the crucial connections using just a tiny DNA sample from Isaacson’s case. Marchand died by suicide in 1995.
Project Justice highlights the significant number of active cold case homicide investigations in the U.S., estimated to be over 250,000, with approximately 6,000 new cases added each year. However, advancements in DNA testing have proven to be invaluable in helping law enforcement solve these cases. Inspired by the success of the Isaacson case, Woo and Ansel continued raising funds and supporting other cold case investigations. To date, Project Justice has contributed to approximately 100 cases, resulting in the resolution of 22 of them.
The impact of Project Justice goes beyond individual cases. Woo mentioned that the successful resolution of the Isaacson case led Las Vegas Police to expand their cold case unit from one detective to an entire department. The organization’s efforts have also inspired others to get involved. Woo and Ansel created the Vegas Justice League, which they later expanded into Project Justice, a nationwide initiative.
Project Justice describes itself as a nonprofit dedicated to assisting American police departments by funding state-of-the-art DNA testing at independent labs. Recognizing the challenges faced by local law enforcement in accessing emerging resources, the organization aims to support their efforts. In addition to their own contributions, Woo and Ansel accept donations through their website, ProjectJustice.com. Donations have ranged from $10 to a significant $494,000 contribution from a single donor.
Cold case investigations have experienced a significant boost from advancements in DNA testing. Following the high-profile arrest of the “Golden State Killer” in 2018, known as Joseph James DeAngelo, investigative genetic genealogy has become an increasingly valuable tool for solving cold cases nationwide.
Recently, New York prosecutors highlighted the role of “cutting-edge” SNP testing in solving the Long Island serial killer case. Rex Heuermann, a New York City architect, was charged with a fourth murder after lab workers matched hairs found on the victims to Heuermann, his wife, and his daughter. It is believed that Heuermann inadvertently transferred his family members’ DNA to the victims while they were out of town.
Project Justice’s dedication to funding advanced DNA testing and their success in solving cold cases has brought hope to victims’ families and inspired law enforcement agencies across the country. Through their ongoing efforts, they continue to shed light on unsolved crimes and provide closure to those affected.
