California Today

DNA from a Discarded Wingstop Cup Solves 40-Year-Old San Bernardino County Cold Case

10 June 2026 02:35

A 40-year-old cold case in San Bernardino County has been solved using DNA from a discarded Wingstop cup. - Leonard Nash, 72, was convicted of second-degree murder in the 1980 killing of 18-year-old Michelle Jones.

- The case is the oldest successfully prosecuted cold case in San Bernardino County. - DNA from a Wingstop cup, fork, napkin, and straw matched Nash to the crime scene evidence.

- Nash was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison and is serving time in Chino, California. The victim's family expressed gratitude to investigators for never giving up on the case.

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FontanaChinocrimecold caseDNA evidencemurder