Wisconsin man, 82, is to stand trial for the 1976 murder of a couple at a campsite after being tricked into giving his DNA sample to cops who asked him to lick an envelope for a survey after genetic genealogy ID-ed him as a possible suspect
- Raymand Vannieuwenhoven, 82, will face trial on two counts of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of a couple at a Wisconsin park in 1976
- David Schuldes, 25, and Ellen Matheys, 24, were shot dead at a campsite, while Matheys was also sexually assaulted
- Officers claimed a DNA sample taken from a licked envelope provided by Raymand Vannieuwenhoven matched DNA from the crime scene
- Vannieuwenhoven is scheduled to enter a plea July 1 and his attorneys challenged allegations he murdered the couple
An 82-year-old man will face trial on two counts of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of a couple at a Wisconsin park 43 years ago.
A judge in Marinette County determined at a hearing on Wednesday that there is enough evidence to send the case against Raymand Vannieuwenhoven to trial.
Vannieuwenhoven is accused of killing David Schuldes, 25, and Ellen Matheys, 24, in 1976 at McClintock Park in Silver Cliff, about 200 miles north of Milwaukee.
Sheriff's detective Todd Baldwin testified Wednesday that tests of Vannieuwenhoven's DNA from a licked envelope matched DNA from the crime scene, WLUK-TV reported.
Raymand Vannieuwenhoven, 82, will stand trial on two counts of first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of a couple at a Wisconsin park 43 years ago
Vannieuwenhoven is accused of killing Ellen Matheys, 24, (left) and David Schuldes, 25, (right), in 1976 at McClintock Park in Silver Cliff, about 200 miles north of Milwaukee
Investigators got a breakthrough last year when a DNA lab in Virginia identified the genealogical background of the suspect.
Police had tricked Vannieuwenhoven into handing over his DNA, according to documents.
Two officers visited his home in March and asked 'if he would do a brief survey about policing in the various townships,' according to documents.
When he completed the survey, the officers asked Vannieuwenhoven to seal it in an envelope, the documents said.
His saliva from the envelope was then sent to the state crime lab where it was found to be a match to the semen from Mathey's sex assault, according to documents obtained by ABC News. The murders of Schuldes and Matheys remained a mystery for over 40 years. Then in 2018, a DNA sample from evidence at the crime scene was determined to be from a particular family.
The couple, from Green Bay, were killed on July 9, 1976, after setting up their tent at the campground.
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Schuldes was shot dead near the campground’s toilet. Matheys’ body was found the next morning in woods several hundred feet away. She was shot twice and had been sexually assaulted.
Vannieuwenhoven was charged in March after he was linked to the double homicide through 'genetic genealogy'.
This method has been used more frequently over the past year to identify suspects in cold cases around the country.
Todd Baldwin claimed that semen found on Matheys' clothing enabled DNA profiles to be developed in the 1990s by a private lab following advancements in technology.
Vannieuwenhoven was arrested on March 14 after a warrant was obtained and charged with the double homicide. He is pictured in a booking photo taken on that date
Prosecutors said they used DNA and genetic genealogy to connect Vannieuwenhoven to the killings 43 years ago. Pictured is the house where he lived in Lakewood, about 25 miles southwest from the site of the murders
Investigators first took DNA samples from two of Vannieuwenhoven’s brothers, who were ruled out as suspects after they were found to be only partial matches to the semen traces.
Two DNA tests identified Raymand Vannieuwenhoven as a match, Baldwin said.
One was from an envelope that Vannieuwenhoven licked and sealed at the request of Oconto County Chief Deputy Darren Laskowski.
He called to his home to get his views on law enforcement efforts in the area.
The second was provided by Vannieuwenhoven after a warrant was obtained following his March 14 arrest.
'We showed him the warrant. We gave him the cotton swabs … he swapped the inside of his cheeks and placed them in the container,' Green Bay Press Gazette reported Baldwin as saying.
Schuldes was shot dead near the toilet at McClintock campground. Matheys’ body was found the next morning in woods several hundred feet away
Marinette County Sherrif's Department issued pictures of what the suspect would've looked like at the time of the murder, (left), and several years later, (right)
Defense attorney Lee Schuchart had argued there was no proof that the DNA results were related to the murders, Fox11 reported.
He claimed: 'I think the state is glossing over the fact the only piece of evidence that they have of Mr. Vannieuwenhoven was on scene is sperm that was found inside Ellen’s shorts.
'There’s no connection at all to David Schuldes and the shooting that resulted in his death. There’s no connection between the two shootings in general. This could have been one shooting. This could have been two shootings.'
In April 2018, the suspected 'Golden State Killer' became the first public arrest through genetic genealogy.
Joseph James DeAngelo is awaiting trial on charges linking him to at least 13 murders and over 50 rapes across California in the 1970s and 80s.
Since then over 50 suspects have been identified through the technology, genealogy expert CeCe Moore told ABC News.
Judge James Morrison dismissed a charge of first-degree sexual assault against Vannieuwenhoven as the statute of limitations had expired after six years. However there is no statute of limitation on homicide charges.
In his overall ruling he was reported by Green Bay Press Gazette as saying: 'It is clear to me that the state has more than met its burden of establishing probable cause that at least one felony — that is the murder of Ms. Matheys and very likely the murder of Mr. Schuldes – occurred in Marinette County and there’s probable cause to believe that Mr. Vannieuwenhoven was the person who committed those homicides.'
Vannieuwenhoven, who is being held on $1 million bond, is scheduled to enter a plea July 1.
