In a remarkable breakthrough, California deputies announced on Tuesday that they have successfully resolved a murder case that has remained unsolved for decades. By leveraging a combination of modern forensic techniques and traditional detective work, they have brought closure to a mystery that began in 1983.

The tragic story dates back to November 15, 1983, when authorities discovered the lifeless body of Dorothy “Toby” Tate inside a van. Tate had been shot, and her case had stumped investigators for years. According to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office, new evidence has finally illuminated the circumstances surrounding her death.

Detectives had long held fingerprints from a soda can and DNA evidence collected at the crime scene. Recent advancements in forensic science enabled them to match these fingerprints to Charly Sneed, a Texas resident. Meanwhile, forensic genealogy identified another Texas resident, Steven Richard Hardy, as a DNA contributor. Both individuals were linked to the crime, though they have since passed away.

The investigation concluded that Sneed and Hardy were involved in Tate’s murder “beyond a reasonable doubt.” The sheriff’s office noted that the crime appeared to be linked to a burglary or theft, given that Tate’s belongings were later pawned in California.

After thoroughly reviewing the findings, the district attorney’s office acknowledged that there was enough probable cause to have charged Hardy and Sneed if they were still alive. Consequently, the case has been closed, marked as “exceptionally cleared,” bringing a measure of resolution to a decades-old tragedy.

The sheriff’s office submitted the results of the investigation to the district attorney’s office, which determined that probable cause existed to charge Hardy and Sneed “had the suspects been alive.” As a result, they closed the case, labeling it “exceptionally cleared.”