Who killed Shelley
Connolly?
Since 1978, Alaska
State Troopers (AST) have been trying to solve the murder of 16-year-old Shelley
Connolly. Shelley was discovered in a roadside pullout on the Seward Highway,
south of Anchorage. Despite multiple suspects and an extensive investigation,
the case went cold.
Over time, as DNA
technology advanced, there was hope that the case could be solved. It was reopened
periodically, and eventually evidence was entered into the nationwide DNA
database. With no match found, efforts to bring justice were stalled.
DNA and genetic
genealogy
In 2019, with revolutionary
technology available, the AST Cold Case Unit connected a suspect to the case
using genetic genealogy. This technology involves
comparing a DNA profile to known profiles in genealogical databases to find
people who share the same genetic information.
As the case evolved, investigators
learned the suspect was living in Gresham. With the help of the Gresham Police Department,
what had been a cold case was heating up.
Two Gresham brothers, one cigarette butt
The DNA profile pointed
to one of two brothers living in Gresham, and Gresham Police worked to connect evidence
that could link the suspect to the crime. Detectives collected a discarded cigarette
butt, which the department sent to the Alaska State Laboratory for analysis.
Through DNA testing,
investigators were able to match DNA samples from two places on Connolly’s body
to Donald McQuade’s DNA. In August 2019, Alaska investigators traveled to Oregon
and worked alongside Gresham Police detectives, including current detective Tim
Snider, to arrest McQuade.
An Anchorage jury
found 67-year-old Donald McQuade guilty in 2023 of multiple counts for the 1978
murder of 16-year-old Shelley Connolly. McQuade will be sentenced by the court
this spring. He will spend 20 years to life in prison.
The Gresham Police
Department is grateful to have provided essential investigative support that
helped bring justice for the family and an end to another cold case.