What More Can Be Done to Solve the Kent Heitholt Murder?

(Tenth of ten articles about the Kent Heitholt murder with a primary focus on interpreting the physical and other evidence at the crime scene.)

The evaluation of the murder of Kent Heitholt has been taken as far as it can with the available information. Several more things can be done by those in charge of the investigation into the murder of Kent Heitholt.

First, the severed belt buckle and Heitholt’s clothing can be sent to an independent DNA capable laboratory for additional testing. The article on the severed belt buckle gives suggestions on where to look for killer DNA. The examination can also look for microfibers that may have belonged to the killer’s clothing. Heitholt’s clothing can be reexamined for fibers belonging to the killer’s clothing along and also for metal or other particles that may have come off the assault weapon. Tests on any fibers and other small particles could aid in identifying the clothing of the assailant and the assault weapon.

Secondly, the complete police crime scene and the autopsy evidence documentation can be sent to someone capable of performing an overall evaluation to more fully reconstruct the assault and hopefully identify the assault weapon as to what it was and where it likely came from. A close identification of the assault weapon may identify the killer.

A check should be made to account for the notebook computer in Mike Boyd’s possession and also find out if he had possession of a metal clipboard with paper enclosure features at the time of the murder.

Among other things, the overall evaluation should address the circular contusion and laceration markings to the victim’s forehead to ascertain if they had possibly been made by something other than the assault weapon such as cleats from the killer’s sports shoes. An identification of the killer’s shoe model may aid in identifying the killer.

The overall evaluation should also ascertain if more than one assault weapon was likely used.

Along with both of the above suggestions, the State can consider announcing an offer of immunity to the two strangers for any crimes other than the assault and killing of Kent Heitholt.

Finally, the State could consider offering a strongly reduced sentence to the killer for an admission of guilt before the results of the additional testing and evaluation are completed. The spirit of these offers would be to help the Heitholt family gain closure as well as end problems and distress for those under scrutiny in the case that are totally innocent.

You can view the entire ten part series here.