(USNewsMag.com) – On April 26, 2005, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies found the deceased body of 21-year-old Pertina Epps. At the time, it appeared she had been strangled to death. Nearly 17 years later, officers may have identified her killer.
On January 27, police arrested Charles Wright, 56, in connection with Epps’ murder. Police repoened the murder case in 2021 and reexamined the forensic evidence from the case. According to authorities, fingerprint and DNA evidence led them to Wright.
Charles Wright, 56, was tied to the killing of 21-year-old Pertina Epps in Gardena by “DNA and fingerprint evidence," the Sheriff's Department saidhttps://t.co/iAvvB37pTL
— KTLA (@KTLA) January 30, 2022
At the time of his arrest, Wright was a teacher in Inglewood. However, in the days since, Inglewood Unified head Erika F. Torres sent a letter to parents and staff informing them the suspect was no longer employed by the district.
Wright spoke to the LA Times and denied the accusations against him. He claimed he used to sell clothes and bags out of his car, and believes the evidence came from one of those items. “That’s the only possible way it could happen,” he said.
The suspect was booked into jail on a $1-million bond. He was released after posting the bond and is scheduled for arraignment on June 28.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about the case to contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477. Callers may remain anonymous.
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