The Westminster Police Department in Colorado has finally solved a cold case murder that had remained unsolved for nearly 50 years. Through the utilization of genetic genealogy and advanced DNA technology, the police were able to identify the killer as Thomas Elliott, who had taken his own life in 1991. This breakthrough not only brings closure to the friends and family of the victim, but it also marks a significant milestone for the Westminster Police Department, as it is their first cold case solved.
On December 6, 1975, the lifeless body of 20-year-old Teree Becker was discovered in a field near 100th Avenue and Lowell Boulevard in Westminster. The young woman had been brutally raped and asphyxiated. Becker, who had moved to the Denver area from Casper, Wyoming, had been hitchhiking to visit her boyfriend in Adams County Jail in Brighton just two days prior to her tragic death. The case had remained unsolved for decades, leaving Becker’s family and the community longing for justice.
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The Westminster Police Department, along with multiple other law enforcement agencies, tirelessly investigated the case throughout the years. However, despite their efforts, no viable leads emerged. It was not until 2003 that a breakthrough occurred when the Colorado Bureau of Investigation managed to extract a piece of male DNA from evidence related to the rape. Unfortunately, no match was found at that time.
The case took an unexpected turn in 2013 when a DNA sample provided by the Las Vegas Metro Police Department for an unrelated rape and murder case in Las Vegas yielded a genetic match. Although the Las Vegas case remained unsolved, the DNA evidence linked the two cases together. The DNA profile belonged to a suspect, but his identity remained unknown until advancements in genetic genealogy led investigators to a possible suspect: Thomas Martin Elliott.
Thomas Elliott had a troubled past marked by criminal activity. Prior to Becker’s murder, he had committed a burglary in Lakewood, resulting in a six-year prison sentence. After serving time in various correctional facilities, Elliott was released in Las Vegas in 1981. Tragically, he went on to commit another heinous crime, sexually assaulting and murdering a woman in Las Vegas in 1991, before taking his own life.
To confirm Elliott’s involvement in both the Becker and Las Vegas cases, Las Vegas and Westminster Police collaborated to exhume Elliott’s body in October 2023. Tissue and bone samples were obtained and sent to Bode Technology, where DNA analysis confirmed a 100% match between Elliott’s DNA and the DNA found at both crime scenes. This definitive evidence closed the cases and brought a sense of closure to the families involved.
The resolution of this cold case murder has had a profound impact on the community and law enforcement agencies involved. For Teree Becker’s family, the identification of her killer brings a sense of justice and closure after nearly five decades of uncertainty. David Becker, Teree’s brother, expressed gratitude towards the Westminster Police Department for their unwavering dedication to solving the case.
The successful resolution of this cold case is a testament to the advancements in DNA technology and genetic genealogy. The ability to extract and analyze DNA evidence from decades-old crime scenes has opened new doors for investigators, allowing them to revisit cold cases with renewed hope. The use of genetic genealogy, which involves comparing DNA profiles to trace family connections, has proven to be a powerful tool in identifying suspects and bringing them to justice.
For the Westminster Police Department, the resolution of this cold case marks a significant milestone. Not only is it their oldest cold case, but it is also the first case they have successfully solved. The dedication and perseverance of the detectives involved, along with the collaboration between different law enforcement agencies, have set a precedent for future investigations into cold cases.
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Closure is a critical aspect for the families of victims and the community as a whole. The identification of Thomas Elliott as the perpetrator provides a sense of closure, allowing the healing process to begin. It also serves as a reminder that no matter the passage of time, law enforcement agencies remain committed to seeking justice for victims and their loved ones.
The successful resolution of this cold case has reinvigorated the Westminster Police Department’s efforts to solve other long-standing cases. With advancements in DNA technology and genetic genealogy, the possibilities for solving cold cases that were once deemed unsolvable are expanding. The hope is that more families will find closure and justice as detectives continue to revisit and reinvestigate these cases.
