A lawyer from New Jersey has been arrested in connection to almost decade-old rapes that happened in Boston due to a forensic genealogy linking him to the crime.
Matthew J. Nilo (35) was arrested at his home around 4:30PM, and has been charged with three counts of aggravated rape, two counts of kidnapping, one count of assault with intent to rape, and one count of indecent assault and battery in connection with the attacks on four women August 2007 and December 2008.
“This is without a doubt a major break in this investigation that has haunted the survivors of these sexual assaults, the residents of Charlestown, and the Boston Police Department for years,” said FBI Special Agent Joseph Bonavolonta.
“We believe we have removed a dangerous threat from our community.”
He was identified as a suspect last month through investigative genetic genealogy. It combines DNA and historical record searches to generate new suspects in cold cases.
This new lead was also aided by the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative, a program designed to help process sexual assault collection kits.
“This arrest also highlights the fact that investigators never stop analyzing evidence, collecting information, and running down leads in order to bring dangerous offenders to justice,” said District Attorney Kevin Hayden.
The four victims were informed of his arrest and pending extradition.
“We certainly realise that identifying this individual does not ease their pain, nothing can, but hopefully it answers some questions,” Bonavolonta stated.
At the time of the assaults, he was around 19/20 years old.
Authorities have urged anyone who believes they are also a victim of Nilo to come forward.
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