The 1975 murder of 22-year-old Judith ‘Judy’ Lord in Concord, New Hampshire, has been officially closed and marked as ‘solved’ after a decades-long investigation. The case, which had remained open for over 50 years, was brought to resolution through the use of modern forensic techniques and DNA analysis. According to the New Hampshire Attorney General’s report, the identity of the killer—Ernest Theodore Gable—was confirmed through evidence gathered during a cold case review.
Judith Lord was found dead in her apartment on May 20, 1975, and the cause of death was determined to be homicidal strangulation. The investigation into her murder had been complicated by the limitations of forensic science at the time, particularly the reliance on microscopic hair comparison, which led to the FBI Forensic Laboratory concluding that Gable was not the perpetrator. This conclusion, however, was based on outdated methods, and the case was ultimately closed without a conviction.
Years later, during a cold case review, DNA analysis conducted by the New Hampshire State Police Forensic Laboratory provided conclusive evidence connecting Gable to the crime. The report states that DNA obtained from semen-stained towels found at the scene matched Gable’s DNA profile, with a statistical likelihood of 1 in 6.5 million in the African American population. This new evidence, combined with witness testimony and a review of Gable’s violent history, provided irrefutable proof of his guilt.
The resolution of the case has brought closure to the family of Judith Lord and the broader community in Concord, New Hampshire, after nearly five decades of uncertainty. The New Hampshire Attorney General’s report emphasizes the importance of modern forensic technologies in solving cold cases, as well as the need for ongoing reviews of past investigations to ensure justice is served.