Suspect in 1990s rapes arrested thanks to genealogical DNA

SANTA ANA, Calif. (FOX 11) - Authorities have arrested a man suspected of raping a 9-year-old girl and a woman in Southern California during the 1990s after identifying him through genealogical DNA.

Orange County Sheriff Don Barnes said Friday that investigators modeled their probe after the Golden State Killer case and found two people, identical twins, who matched a DNA profile they had from the attacks.

Authorities declined to specify where they obtained the genealogical DNA.

Barnes said authorities investigated further to identify the correct suspect. He says 53-year-old Kevin Konther of Highland, California, was arrested for the alleged crimes and booked on two counts of rape, oral copulation with a person younger than 14 years old, lewd and lascivious acts with a child younger than 14, and aggravated assault.

Charges are expected to be filed against Barnes on Monday, according to Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer.

Konther is being held on $1 million bail and is due in court Monday.

Konther is accused of grabbing a 9-year-old girl walking home from a convenience store in Lake Forest in the evening of Oct. 21, 1995.

The girl's attacker dragged her into a wooded area in Serrano Creek Park where she was raped and then let go.

Konther is also accused of kidnapping and raping a 31-year-old woman jogging midday on June 2, 1998, on a Mission Viejo trail near El Toro Road and Marguerite Parkway.

District Attorney Todd Spitzer says there may be additional victims.

The Associated Press and CNS contributed to this report.