# Genealogy Website Leads to Killer's Confession 39 YEARS After Murder

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/forensic-files-unsealed-6989771/genealogy-website-leads-to-killer-s-confession-39-years-after-murder
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/forensic-files-unsealed-6989771/genealogy-website-leads-to-killer-s-confession-39-years-after-murder.md
Podcast: [Forensic Files Unsealed](https://stenobird.com/podcast/forensic-files-unsealed-6989771)
Published: 2026-09-05T23:37:33+00:00
Episode link: https://www.spreaker.com/episode/genealogy-website-leads-to-killer-s-confession-39-years-after-murder--74929127
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/api.spreaker.com/download/episode/74929127/cousin_dna_caught_helene_pruszynski_s_killer.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/forensic-files-unsealed-6989771/episodes/genealogy-website-leads-to-killer-s-confession-39-years-after-murder
Duration seconds: 2161

## Resource

In 1980, the body of Helene Pruszynski was discovered in a snowy Colorado field after she disappeared while traveling home from her internship. Although investigators preserved biological evidence from the scene, the case remained cold for decades due to the limitations of forensic technology. The investigation eventually gained momentum through the use of modern genetic genealogy, which allowed detectives to trace the suspect’s family tree using commercial DNA databases. This process led authorities to James Curtis Clanton, whose DNA and appearance closely matched the evidence and original composite sketches. After being confronted with the scientific findings, Clanton confessed to the kidnapping and murder of the young woman. He ultimately pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life in prison nearly forty years after the crime took place. This episode includes AI-generated content.

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