How DNA from a juniper tree helped solve a Missouri murder | Forensic Files

investigators used DNA from a tree we've been talking about this all morning to help solve a crime it happened after a
young mother from Missouri disappeared three years ago 48 Hours correspondent Peter Van Sant shows how investigators
used an unlikely clue to bring her killer to Justice [Applause] on October 10 2019 23 year old Joseph
ellage reported his wife mungshi ji missing so you said that uh took her purse with her right yeah at the time
Dan Knight was the prosecuting attorney in Missouri's Boone County Joe ellich said that on October 8th he'd
gone to sleep with monkey at about 11 11 30 or so and then he woke up the next morning and then he noticed that monk
she was gone vanished initially ellage told police and CBS affiliate krcg that he believed his wife may have left him
and their one-year-old daughter for another man I know she was talking to somebody else on the side and whatever
she's doing I just hope she's safe Joe ellage's attorney Scott Rosenbloom he actually discovered that she was
involved in an online relationship how did he find out he went on her one of her devices and started reading it we
were trying our best to leave no Stones Unturned there were a lot of stones police
searched the couple's apartment and found some puzzling evidence including this muddy pair of Joe ellij's boots
taken into evidence on a hunch just in case down the road they might be relevant something was amiss yes and
they they sensed it eledge's boots did become relevant thanks to several juniper tree needles stuck to the souls
and these needles where did they come from we had three needles that came from that tree right there
I thought it d-a from these juniper trees helped solve this crime I've never heard of
anything like this before in my entire career at 48 hours Peter Van sand joins us now Peter wait
wait so the Buick had the needle needle and the needles were from that tree yes why was that important well
juniper trees are one of the few on Earth that have a unique DNA profile just like human beings each tree has its
own profile so when they discovered this shallow grave out there in this Grove of
juniper trees and we go out with a scientist from Missouri Botanical Garden he has a special tool they took samples
they got some of these needles did their DNA test and then tested against those muddy boots that you saw because there
were some needles on that perfect match oh wow and so it's just like having blood evidence DNA about you they had
they had him he was at the gravesite which forced the defense to change their story about not just a juniper tree that
that that's the keep it specific really cool I've never heard anything like this
Peter Van Sant thank you very much no we have not you can see Peter's full report
the tree that helped solve a murder on 48 hours tomorrow night at 10 9 Central right here on CBS and on our streaming
service Paramount Plus

In 2019, a mother in Missouri went missing, and juniper tree needles would later help lead investigators to her killer. "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant joins "CBS Mornings" to share an inside look at his upcoming "48 Hours" report, "The Tree That Helped Solve a Murder."

Each weekday morning, "CBS Mornings” co-hosts Gayle King, Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson bring you the latest breaking news, smart conversation and in-depth feature reporting. "CBS Mornings" airs weekdays at 7 a.m. on CBS and stream it at 8 a.m. ET on the CBS News app.

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Brief Summary

DNA from a juniper tree helped solve Mungshi Ji's murder case.

Key points

A Shocking Discovery. Joe Ellage's muddy boots contained juniper tree needles that led to a breakthrough.
The Unlikely Clue. Investigators used DNA from juniper trees to solve a murder case.

Episode highlights

Episode quotes

I've never heard of anything like this before in my entire career.

Peter Van Sant reflects on the unique evidence.

2:11WatchDec 9, 2022

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