DNA Links Maine Nurse To 1993 Killing At University Of Alaska

AUBURN, ME — In April 1993, janitors at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks found the body of Sophie Sergie in a bathtub of a second-floor bathroom. The 20-year-old had been sexually assaulted, stabbed in the face and shot in the back of the head. This week, authorities said they found her killer in Auburn, Maine, with the help of DNA evidence and public databases of genetic codes.

Alaska State Troopers announced around 1:15 p.m. Friday, authorities arrested Steven Downs.

"Sophie was murdered on the campus of the University of Alaska, Fairbanks almost 26 years ago. This arrest was the culmination of years of effort and tenacious attention by this department to solve this murder," officials announced at a press conference.

Sergie, of Pitkas Point, was in town in April 1993, for personal reasons and had been visiting friends. She was previously a student at UAF and was staying with a friend who was currently a student living on the second floor of Bartlett Hall in a female-only residence.

The day before her body was found, Sergie saw a movie with three friends, went for a drive to the Murphy Dome Recreation Area and ate pizza. She was last seen alive going for a smoke. Her friend told Sergie she should smoke near the exhaust vents in the tub room of the women's bathroom because it was too cold outside, according to charging documents obtained by Anchorage Daily News. Custodial workers at the university found her body around 3 p.m. the following day. She was wearing shoes and socks and her pants and underwear had been pulled down past her knees. Her sweater was pushed up around her neck and armpits and her bra had been pushed up as well. She'd been stabbed twice in the right corner of her right eye and once in the cheek. She'd also been shot in the back of her head.

"Evidence at the scene revealed Sophie had been sexually assaulted and murdered," said Col. Barry Wilson of the Alaska State Troopers. "Suspect DNA was discovered during the investigation. And a unique suspect profile was identified from the DNA."

That information was uploaded into a national DNA database. But the DNA profile was not on file and the suspect remained at large, Barry said.

Hundreds of people were questioned in the area and many leads developed, but nothing came of it and Sergie's killing became a cold case.

"Finally, in April 2018, the AST cold case unit learned of a new DNA technology that had been utilized to ID the "Golden State Killer," Barry said.

Authorities contacted a Virginia company that uses extracted DNA to perform genetic genealogy screening. It combines genetic analysis with historical and genealogical research to study family history. The process can be used to point at the "likely identity of the perpetrator," said Barry.

"Results of the testing revealed the likely suspect to be Steven H. Downs, who is alive and residing in Auburn, Maine," he said.

Authorities searched his home and collected DNA samples. Downs, 44, was taken into custody Friday. He will be moved to Alaska and tried for murder and sexual assault.

"Justice for Sophie is finally within reach," said Barry.

The Washington Post reported that investigators used an aunt of Downs's to link him to the case. He reportedly told police Wednesday he recalled seeing posters of her face on campus and even suggested soldiers stationed nearby might have something to do with it.

"I remember the pictures. It’s terrible, poor girl," he told police.

Downs was living in Bartlett Hall on the third floor at the time of the killing. Both he and his roommate denied any knowledge of the attack at the time. Downs's roommate told police Downs had an H&R .22 caliber revolver in their dorm at that time.

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