INVESTIGATIVE CASE DOSSIER: THE 1984 MURDER OF ANGELA MEIRNDORF: HOW OTHRAM SOLVED WISCONSIN’S 38-YEAR COLD CASE
- Victim: Angela Meirndorf (Age 19)
- Date of Crime: 1984
- Location of Crime: Waukesha County, Wisconsin
- Breakthrough Method: Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing & Genetic Genealogy (Othram)
- Date of Resolution: 2022
- Status: Perpetrator identified and case cleared by law enforcement
In 1984, 19-year-old Angela Meirndorf was found brutally murdered in Waukesha County, Wisconsin. For thirty-eight years, local detectives pursued leads across the Midwest. In 2022, Othram and Wisconsin law enforcement utilized advanced genomic sequencing to construct family trees that unmasked the killer, providing final answers in the Angela Meirndorf murder.
The 1984 Crime and Preserved Evidence
Angela Meirndorf was abducted and killed in Waukesha County in 1984. Investigators preserved biological trace evidence, which was submitted for advanced genetic analysis decades later.


The Genomic Genealogy Solution
Othram scientists built an SNP profile that enabled forensic genealogists to identify the perpetrator’s biological lineage, leading to definitive identification and clearance.


Case Timeline & Key Forensic Milestones
| Date / Year | Milestone / Event | Forensic Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Angela Meirndorf murdered in Waukesha County, WI | Physical evidence preserved |
| 2022 | Othram identifies perpetrator via genomic genealogy | 38-year cold case cleared |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How was Angela Meirndorf’s case solved?
Othram extracted DNA and built a comprehensive genealogical family tree that identified the perpetrator in 2022.



