In 1987, 20-year-old Darlene Krashoc was brutally killed. The cold case team has finally located Michael Whyte, the murderer, after more than three decades.
On August 17, 2022, the Homicide Hunter: Never Give Up featured the case of his murder. Joe Kenda explained how the incident has followed him since he surrendered his badge and weapons. Even after Michael’s arrest, he testified in court.
Darlene Krashoc
Who was Darlene Krashoc’s killer?
Two police officers found the body of a young woman on March 17, 1987 in the back parking lot of the mall next to a dumpster. They discovered her while on their normal patrol around five o’clock in the morning.
She had bite marks, bruises, and blood all over her body, as well as a coat hanger wrapped around her neck. She also appeared to have a fractured eye on her left. She suffered serious injuries.
Because she had almost no clothes, the police were able to determine that the crime was motivated by sexual desire. She had gray pants around her ankles, a watch and a ring. She still had a sock on her left foot.
They later discovered a driver’s license and recognized the victim as Army Specialist Darlene Krashoc.
The police carried out numerous investigations but were unable to identify the culprit. They had three suspects, but none of them could be believed as there was no evidence of their involvement in the case.
For many years the case went unsolved, but in 2019 they finally found a lead. They discovered a man named Michael Whyte who was linked to the murder through the use of genetic genealogy.
It was revealed that Darlene’s killer was Michael.
When Darlene was murdered in 1987, he was in Colorado. He was assigned to Ft. Carson at the time and was 24 years old. Cops made the arrest of Michael while at his home in Colorado.
Has Michael Whyte been arrested?
After 32 years, Michael Whyte has finally been apprehended for the crime. When the cold case team uncovered the genetic genealogy and reviewed the DNA databases of the suspect’s family tree, they were able to determine his connection to the crime.
They found a match after nine months. They discovered it was Michael, a distant cousin of Darlene. An undercover cop chased him to back up their suspicions and gathered a broken mug for DNA analysis. He was arrested in 2019 at his home because he was the right person.
When authorities apprehended him, he was 58 years old. Michael’s trial began in June 2021. After being convicted of first degree murder, he was sentenced to life. Therefore, he cannot apply for parole until 2061.
Update on the Darlene Krashoc Murder Case
The most recent episode of Homicide Hunter: Never Give Up featured the Darlene Krashoc murder case. After more than three decades since Darlene’s death, justice has finally been served for her family.
In 1987, their daughter – who since childhood had dreamed of joining the army – was horribly tortured and murdered. His death by strangulation by ligature of the wire hanger was ruled by his autopsy to have been caused by sexual abuse.
No one knows how the two met that night or the reason for the murder, despite the murderer being found guilty.
