Cold case murder of teen girl, 18, is finally solved after more than four decades thanks to DNA breakthrough …but cops reveal a twist

After more than four decades of mystery, Ohio investigators have announced that a cold case murder of a teenage girl has now been solved – but a shocking twist means the suspected killer will not face charges.

In 1981, Debra Lee Miller was found dead in her downtown Mansfield apartment at the age of 18.

Police say the teen was brutally beaten to death, with marks and objects around her body indicating she had been brutally attacked.

Although investigators spoke to a number of potential witnesses, including James Vanest, 68, a man who lived upstairs in the building, no suspects were identified and the case went cold.

For years the case remained unsolved, despite several re-investigations.

But in 2021, as advances in forensic technology emerged, detectives reexamined the case.

They worked closely with DNA experts and re-examined evidence that had previously been overlooked.

Taking a fresh approach to the case, investigators were led back to Vanest, who had moved to Canton years earlier.

Investigators spoke to a number of potential witnesses, including James Vanest, a man who lived upstairs in the building (pictured) – no suspects were identified and the case stalled

Detective Terry Butler, who reopened the case, recalled his interactions with Vanest in 2021, citing him as being “secretive” and clearly trying to establish an alibi.

However, Vanest admitted he had been with Miller before her death – and revealed they had sex after meeting in a bar.

Butler told me ABC 6 News: ‘In the early morning of April 29, when he returned from a bar, he said she had invited them in. They had consensual sex.”

However, Vanest’s story did little to exonerate him as a suspect, and DNA evidence later confirmed his involvement in the crime.

Further attempts to question Vanest, including one in June this year, proved fruitless.

When detectives confronted him, he refused to cooperate and demanded a lawyer.

Taking a fresh approach to the case, investigators were led back to James Vanest (pictured), who had moved to Canton years earlier

Shortly thereafter, Vanest sold his property in Canton and moved to West Virginia, where he was later arrested after being charged with firearms.

Vanest fled and returned to Canton, where U.S. Marshals tried to serve him on a federal firearms warrant at a motel in November.

What followed was a tense standoff that escalated into violence when Vanest barricaded himself inside.

In an unexpected twist, a shootout ensued, in which one officer was injured and Vanest was shot dead by police.

Investigators said the DNA evidence was overwhelming and now consider the case closed.

The Richland County prosecutor said her office was preparing to present the case to the grand jury at the time of the shooting.

It comes as a stunning documentary has revealed how six men wrongly convicted of murder were ultimately exonerated.

The injustice first came to light in 2002 when veteran Bronx homicide detective Bobby Addolorato told Dateline NBC investigative producer Dan Slepian that there was one murder case that had haunted him for more than a decade.