A recent episode of CBS 48 Hours looked into Sarah Borough’s murder and how investigators tracked down her killer, Patrick Nicholas. It took them three decades to locate the killer using DNA evidence and realize that the suspect had committed a string of prior assaults against women.
In December 1991, Yarborough’s body was found in a brush near Federal Way High School where she was a student, per CBS. The 16-year-old was partially dressed in her drill team’s uniform, a blue skirt and sweater. The killer had strangled her to death. Investigators found semen on her clothes and two young witnesses nearby who helped police with the alleged culprit’s sketch. However, the case went cold for decades.
Using DNA evidence and genetic genealogy, investigators made a breakthrough in 2019. That year in October, police arrested Nicholas arrest and a highly-awaited murder trial followed. Earlier this year, in May, a jury convicted the accused. A judge then sentenced him to 46 years in prison.
Sarah Yarborough’s murder investigation, examined
The hunt for Sarah Yarborough’s killer continued for three decades until detectives used DNA evidence from the crime scene to find the culprit. On the morning of December 14, 1991, she arrived early at school Federal Way High School near Seattle for drill team practice. By the time her team showed up, she had disappeared but her car remained in the parking lot.
According to CBS, that same morning, Drew Miller, 13, and his friend found Yarborough’s body in a field not far from the school. Before spotting the crime scene, the boys also saw a man coming out of the same bushes where they found her body. The 16-year-old was partially dressed and her clothes lay in a pile next to the body. Miller and his friend later helped police in creating a sketch of the potential suspect.
The killer had reportedly strangled Yarborough to death but there were no signs of rape. Investigators found semen on her clothes that revealed a full male DNA profile, corroborating the boys’ story about the man. Initially, they found no matches or useful leads and the case went cold.
Over the years, investigators examined nearly 3000 leads in the cold case. They got their first crucial breakthrough in September 2019, using genetic genealogy. They found two possible suspects – brothers Edward and Patrick Nicholas. Authorities then zeroed in on the latter. They found out that the then-27-year-old used a bus route that went past the victim’s high school.
The outlet reported that undercover detectives collected Nicholas’ DNA sample from two cigarette butts and a napkin. They found a match within days. Soon, police arrested the suspect and charged him with Sarah Yarborough’s murder in October 2019. They also learned of his previous criminal record, including five sexual assaults.
According to People Magazine, Patrick Nicholas stood trial earlier this year. A jury found the 59-year-old guilty of felony first-degree murder and second-degree murder on May 10, 2023. Two weeks later, he received a 46-year prison term for his crimes. The convicted murderer is now serving his sentence at the Washinton State Penitentiary, per the Department of Corrections records.
The CBS 48 Hours episode titled “The Hunt for Sarah Yarborough’s Killer” covers the case in detail.
