DNA profile used to charge mystery man with murder in same-date slayings of 2 women in Utah

DNA used to charge mystery man in same-date deaths

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah prosecutors have used a DNA profile to file charges against a mystery man who police say strangled two women on the same date two years apart.

Police don’t know the suspect’s name, so court papers filed Monday identify him as “John Doe.” Tuesday was the anniversary of both women’s deaths.

Sonia Mejia was killed Feb. 9, 2006, in Taylorsville. Daminia Castillo was killed Feb. 9, 2008, in West Valley City. Both towns are in Salt Lake County.

Prosecutors used evidence collected at both crimes scenes to build the DNA profile.

If ever prosecuted, “Doe” faces two counts of aggravated murder, two counts of aggravated robbery, one count of aggravated burglary and one count of aggravated sexual assault.

Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune, www.sltrib.com