On June 3, 1991, the body of Alma Lake, a 30-year-old woman, was discovered by two passersby at the northwest corner of Olive and Craig Streets in Urbancrest, Ohio. Alma was found lying in the grass, unclothed, with visible signs of trauma, indicating she had been brutally assaulted. The case went cold for decades despite persistent efforts by law enforcement to collect and analyze evidence from the crime scene. Investigators from Franklin County repeatedly submitted samples for forensic analysis over the years, but the case remained unsolved for a long period due to insufficient leads.
In 2020, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office sought the assistance of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) to apply new forensic technology to the case. Advanced DNA analysis conducted by BCI eventually led investigators to Robert Edwards, who was identified as the primary suspect. Edwards, now aged 68, was arrested in August 2022 and subsequently charged with aggravated murder for the 1991 killing of Alma Lake. He was also linked to the 1996 murder of Michelle Dawson-Pass, which shared similarities with Alma's case, including the manner of death and evidence of sexual assault.
Edwards was convicted on July 14, 2023, of both murders and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for 45 years. The conviction brought a sense of justice for Alma’s family, who had been waiting for over three decades. The authorities commended the combined efforts of BCI and local law enforcement, highlighting the significance of never giving up on a cold case. They also believe Edwards may have additional victims, given his history of traveling between different states, and have called for any further information that might be related to his activities during that period. This case represents a significant success for law enforcement, showcasing how advances in DNA technology and persistence can help solve cold cases and bring long-overdue justice to victims and their families.
