Lawrence Police Solve Decades-Old Child Sex Abuse Case; Suspect Arrested

The Lawrence Police Department reported the arrest of David Zimbrick, a 58-year-old man from Raytown, Missouri, in connection with child sexual abuse cases dating back over two decades. The arrest, announced on Tuesday, stems from DNA evidence linked to incidents occurring in 2000 and 2003. Zimbrick faces serious charges, including rape and aggravated criminal sodomy.

Key Details Surrounding the Case

Chief Rich Lockhart of Lawrence Police detailed the sequence of events leading to Zimbrick’s identification. The police received their first report on August 25, 2000, when a man approached three children at Naismith Park, offering $20 to help him find something. One of the children, a 7-year-old girl, subsequently reported being sexually assaulted. Officers gathered evidence, including critical DNA from cigarette butts left at the scene.

Developments in DNA Evidence

• The DNA from the cigarette butts was submitted to CODIS, the FBI’s DNA database, in 2001; however, it did not yield any matches at the time.
• On May 23, 2003, a similar incident occurred where two 10-year-old boys were approached in the same park.
• Sexual evidence was collected during this second incident and entered into CODIS in September 2015, leading to a break in the case in January 2016 when a match was found.

By September 2022, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI) had begun utilizing genetic genealogy technology, similar to that used to apprehend the Golden State Killer. This approach allowed detectives to trace Zimbrick’s biological roots and ultimately confirm his identity.

Investigation and Arrest

With the aid of genetic genealogy services from Parabon NanoLabs, detectives identified Zimbrick’s birth mother, leading to further investigation. In November 2023, Zimbrick’s DNA was matched to the evidence from the earlier cases.

• Zimbrick’s bond is set at $1 million, and he is currently held in the Jackson County jail.
• Chief Lockhart expressed hope that this arrest brings some closure to the families affected by these crimes.
• Additional similar cases are being reviewed for potential links to Zimbrick.

This development represents a significant step forward in addressing long-unsolved cases of child sexual abuse and underscores the importance of advanced forensic techniques in modern law enforcement.