Woman, 23, Died After Last Seen Leaving a Bar. Police Say They’ve Identified Her Killer 45 Years Later

Authorities in Texas have successfully identified a suspect in the 1981 murder of Yolanda Herrera, thanks to recent advancements in DNA technology. The 23-year-old woman was last seen on April 11, 1981, leaving a bar in Universal City, and her body was discovered two days later, tragically by two children on their way to school.

Lieutenant Stephen Rios of the Universal City Police Department held a press conference to discuss the long-cold case. He revealed that Yolanda’s body showed clear signs of violence, having sustained multiple blunt force injuries, and an autopsy indicated that she might have also been sexually assaulted.

Despite the collection of DNA evidence from the scene, including fingernail scrapings and a semen sample, no matches had been found over the years, leaving the case open and the family in despair. This situation persisted until a breakthrough occurred in 2021, when investigators isolated a male DNA profile that did not match any existing records in their database.

In their quest for justice, investigators conducted numerous interviews and collected saliva samples from potential persons of interest, but these efforts yielded no results. That same year, the DNA profile was sent to Bode Technology laboratories for genealogical testing, although a full analysis could not be performed due to insufficient material.

Bode Technology advised law enforcement to hold off on further testing due to the small quantity of DNA. Patience was necessary until more advanced techniques became available. By 2025, the sample was sent to Othram Inc., where technicians successfully pinpointed the suspect’s identity as Kelly Lee Brower through a genealogical database.

At the time of Herrera’s murder, Brower resided in Universal City, but he later relocated to Cottonwood, Arizona. The Universal City Police Department, in coordination with Arizona authorities, proceeded to monitor Brower. They eventually secured DNA samples from him in October 2025, which were then compared to the profile derived from the evidence obtained at Herrera’s autopsy.

In a significant development, the DNA from Brower was confirmed to match the profile linked to Herrera’s case. Following this confirmation, investigators from the Universal City Police Department and the Texas Rangers went to Cottonwood to interview Brower. During this encounter, he confessed to the murder.

As a result of this confession, a capital murder warrant was issued, and Brower was apprehended by the Cottonwood Police Department. He is currently awaiting extradition back to Texas, as confirmed by the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office.

Corporal Caitlin Brown, who has been in contact with Herrera’s family, expressed the surreal nature of bringing closure to a case that has lingered for nearly half a century. She conveyed her pride in being part of this resolution, remarking that the moment felt indescribable.

The announcement brings new hope to the family of Yolanda Herrera, who endured decades of uncertainty and grief since the tragic events of 1981. Although the investigation spanned 45 years, the technological advancements in DNA analysis have played a crucial role in finally delivering a measure of justice.

Both the Universal City Police Department and Cottonwood Police Department have been approached for further comments on the case, as the community awaits the next steps in the legal proceedings against Kelly Lee Brower.