DNA from sidewalk spit links man to 36-year-old murder

BOSTON (WKRC) – A man has been arrested in connection with a 1988 murder after police say they found matching DNA evidence in saliva on the sidewalk in front of his home.

Karen Taylor, 25, was found stabbed 15 times in her Boston apartment on May 27, 1988. Her 3-year-old daughter found her body and told her grandmother she “couldn't wake up [Taylor] high.”

While investigating the case, authorities said they found a check made out to James Holloman near Taylor's body, but were unable to link the man to the case based on forensic evidence.

Authorities said they secured a DNA sample from Holloman (now 65) after the alleged suspect spit on the sidewalk outside his home in 2023. They then said they matched that DNA to DNA found under Taylor's fingernails during the initial investigation.

Holloman was arrested on September 19 and pleaded not guilty to first-degree murder. He was ordered held in custody with no bail.