Multiple leads generated by DNA composite sketch of Fay murder suspect

By Matt Bower
Posted 5/24/16

Following the release of a composite profile for the potential City Park murder suspect responsible for the killing of John Jack Fay, 66, three years ago, Warwick Police have received multiple calls and tips to follow up on. We have a few"

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Multiple leads generated by DNA composite sketch of Fay murder suspect

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Following the release of a composite profile for the potential City Park murder suspect responsible for the killing of John Jack Fay, 66, three years ago, Warwick Police have received multiple calls and tips to follow up on.

“We have a few things we are working on, but it will take some time,” said Detective John McHale during a phone interview Thursday. “We’ve had several phone calls and things to go through at this point.”

McHale wouldn’t say how many calls have come in or how many leads police are following, but he confirmed it was more than one.

As part of their ongoing investigation, police recently requested a Snapshot Phenotype Report from Parabon Nanolabs Inc. be conducted on a DNA sample believed to be from Fay’s murderer. The test technology is approximately four years old and uses the DNA profile to make an analysis to predict the physical appearance and ancestry of the sample owner. It is commonly used to develop investigative leads, narrowing suspect lists and identifying unknown remains.

The Snapshot composite profile released by police indicates the suspect is a male, unknown age, of Southern European ancestry, with possibly light or dark olive skin, hazel or brown eyes, brown or blond hair, little to no freckles, and likely has a more angular, narrow face and jaw, with a wider, protruding nose and mouth, and more sunken eyes.

Police said it is important to note that this composite is not necessarily an exact match to the person who committed this crime. The technology uses a baseline age of 25 years and an average body mass index. It also doesn’t predict hair length, facial hair or environmental factors such as dyed hair, body piercings or tattoos.

“This is the first time we’ve used this technology,” McHale said. “Only time will tell [if it leads to an arrest and conviction], but it’s a tool that seems very good in modern times.”

McHale estimated the cost of doing the composite profile at $4,000. He said Parabon Nanolabs held an online conference where they demonstrated the accuracy of the technology.

“They took pictures of [volunteer] test subjects and then took DNA samples from those who signed up to do the composite and then compared those to the real pictures and the results were identical,” McHale said.

Fay, a retired postal worker and Vietnam Army veteran, was attacked and killed early on the morning of May 17, 2013 while running through City Park. His body was found stuffed in an overturned trashcan along a walking path by a jogger one day after he was murdered. Police said the cause of death was blunt force trauma and sharp force trauma. Although photos of a sledgehammer found in close proximity to Fay’s body were released by police in January 2014, they have yet to confirm or deny its use in the murder.

Fay’s family has raised $25,000, which police are offering as a reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest and conviction.

Police are asking anyone with information to call Det. McHale at 468-4267 or Sgt. Mark Canning at 468-4236. The anonymous TIP line may also be used, which can be reached at 732-TIPS.

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