(File)
SAGINAW, Mich. (TCN) — Investigators recently identified a suspect in the cold case death of a 57-year-old woman whose body was found in the Flint River over two decades ago.
According to the Michigan Attorney General’s Office, Jeanette Wilton’s remains were discovered on Feb. 22, 2003, near her home in Saginaw. An autopsy at the time revealed she died of strangulation and multiple stab wounds to her neck. Wilton also suffered blunt force trauma to her head and face, as well as contusions and postmortem abrasions.
Per WJRT-TV, Assistant Attorney General Danielle Russo Bennetts said Wilton let a man into her home, and within 12 hours, she was found in the Flint River “nude, sexually assaulted, beaten severely,” and “stabbed at least 15 times.” There had been no arrests, and the case went cold.
Michigan State Police reopened the case in 2021 and submitted DNA evidence to a private lab, eventually linking 47-year-old Jason Cabello to Wilton’s death. Cabello was reportedly married to Wilton’s niece when he allegedly killed her.
On Dec. 10, Cabello was arraigned on one count of first-degree murder, one count of felony murder, and one count of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. He faces a potential life sentence for each count if convicted. Cabello is scheduled to appear in court again on Dec. 17.
According to WJRT, Cabello began working for the city of Saginaw in 2002.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said, “For more than a decade, Jeanette’s loved ones have lived without answers, but with these charges, we are now one step closer to delivering long-awaited justice.”