A refreshed effort to capture a fugitive convicted of murder has turned up new DNA evidence, according to U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott. Under the direction of Dr. Nasir Butt at the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office, investigators were able to extract DNA from the clothing worn by Lester Eubanks, the man who killed 14-year-old Mary Ellen Deener in 1965, U.S. Marshals Service reported.
Although Eubanks was convicted of Deener’s murder, his escape from jail in 1973 inaugurated a decades-long game of cat and mouse - a chase that has seen Eubanks elude capture for over half a century. Eubanks, who was also facing charges for an attempted rape three months before the murder, was able to live under the radar, adopting the alias "Victor Young" and it is claimed was last seen working in Southern California during the late '80s or early '90s.
Eubanks' newly recovered DNA has since been entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), signaling a potential turning point in the cold case. The perpetual hunt for Eubanks has been characterized by the U.S. Marshals Service, which "will not rest until this case is closed," as U.S. Marshal Elliott stated. Vigilant efforts have continued, with a focus both domestically and internationally for any sign of Eubanks, who turned 81 this year.
The USMS has announced a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to Eubanks' capture, encouraging anyone with knowledge to contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4-WANTED, or submit a web tip.
