Judith "Judy" Nesbitt, aged 42, was tragically killed on November 26, 1980, in Newport Beach, California. On that fateful day, Judy was showing her family's boat, the Felicidad IV, to a potential buyer at the Marina Dunes Yacht Anchorage. The prospective buyer, later identified as Kenneth Elwin Marks, followed Judy into the boat's sleeping quarters. A violent struggle ensued, during which Marks shot Judy in the head, killing her instantly. He then stole her credit cards, checkbook, and cash before fleeing the scene.
For decades, the case remained unsolved, causing immense grief and uncertainty for Judy's family. Her eldest son, Steve Nesbitt, who was 20 at the time of her death, expressed the profound difficulty of not knowing why someone would commit such a heinous act against his mother. Despite the passage of time, the Newport Beach Police Department remained committed to solving the case, continuously pursuing leads and utilizing advancements in forensic technology.
In 2002, investigators attempted to use DNA from hair roots found at the crime scene, but the profile did not match any entries in the FBI's Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). It wasn't until 2018 that a breakthrough occurred. Using a more advanced DNA extraction method on the remaining hair shafts, investigators were able to create a more comprehensive DNA profile. This new profile was then used in conjunction with genetic genealogy, a technique that had never before been employed in a murder investigation in the United States.
The genetic genealogy work, led by genealogist CeCe Moore, ultimately identified Kenneth Elwin Marks as the perpetrator. Marks had died in 1999, but the identification provided a sense of closure for Judy's family and the community. Newport Beach Police Chief Jon T. Lewis acknowledged the tireless dedication of the investigators and the significant role that technological advancements played in solving the case. Although Marks could no longer be held accountable in a court of law, the revelation of his identity brought an end to the decades-long mystery surrounding Judy Nesbitt's murder.
