Michelle Wyatt Murder Case: How Did John Hogan Die?

Michelle Wyatt Murder

Michelle Wyatt Murder: How Did Her Killer ‘John Hogan’ Die? – In 1980, Michelle Wyatt was raped and killed in her Santee condo. Detectives from the San Diego Sheriff’s Department used investigative genetic genealogy to track down her killer. One of the DNA profiles found in Michelle’s sexual assault kit belonged to her boyfriend, while the other came from an unnamed male subject.

Michelle’s boyfriend was ruled out as a possible suspect. Hogan died of a heart attack in Phoenix on October 9, 2004, precisely 24 years after Michelle was murdered. He was 42 years old at the time.

Michelle Wyatt was a bright young woman with a bright future ahead of her. She was viciously murdered at her home in Santee, California, one terrible night in October 1980. ‘On The Case With Paula Zahn: Eyes in the Darkness,’ a documentary on Investigation Discovery, shows how it took more than four decades to solve Michelle Wyatt murder case and the relevance of biological evidence in the case.

So, shall we investigate Michelle Wyatt Murder, what transpired?

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How Did Michelle Wyatt Die

Michelle Wyatt’s Cause of Death

Raymond and Louise Wyatt had Michelle in February 1960. The 20-year-old was described as an engaging and enthusiastic woman with a wide range of interests. Michelle went on to take tap dancing and organ lessons, as well as modelling. She was in college at the time of the incident, unsure of what she wanted to do with her life. Michelle shared property in Santee with a roommate that her father owned.

Michelle’s roommate returned home from an overnight excursion on October 9, 1980, to find the lights still on and the curtains are drawn. Michelle was on the floor inside, and her bathrobe opened in the front. She dashed over to a neighbour and dialled 911.

The contents of Michelle’s purse were thrown across the floor, and the purse was in the toilet, according to the episode. She’d been raped before being strangled with a phone wire and a piece of wood.

Who Killed Michelle Wyatt
John Hogan

Who Kiled Michelle Wyatt and Why?

Michelle had been staying in the condo for roughly nine months, according to the officials. She drove home from her tap dance class around 8 p.m. on October 8, 1980. Michelle then met Patrick Acomb, her boyfriend. The pair had been dating for around four months and were playing pool in the garage. Patrick said he departed at 1 a.m. on October 9 after they hung out for a few hours.

Furthermore, within an hour of Patrick leaving, the neighbours reported hearing cries and Michelle’s dogs barking. Nobody, however, phoned the cops or went to investigate. There were no traces of forced entry; therefore Michelle either knew who killed her or was caught off guard at the door. Patrick was ruled out as a suspect, but no further leads materialised, and the case became cold.

The authorities had to wait a long time to find the murderer. In 1996, they attempted to employ DNA analysis, but none of the samples submitted was a match. By June 2000, the police had discovered two DNA profiles, one of which belonged to the boyfriend, thanks to testing. The other came from the killer’s seminal fluid. The police didn’t look at genetic genealogy, a technology that has helped solve many unsolved cases, until September 2020.

The detectives used genetic genealogy to try to discover a family match for the unknown profile by evaluating profiles in public DNA databases. In August 2021, they identified the killer as John Patrick “Pat” Hogan after creating a family tree. He was 18 years old at the time of the attack and was stationed in New Mexico with the Air Force.

His military records, however, stated that he was on leave from October 1 to October 10, 1980, according to the show. Furthermore, John had recently moved into the same condominium building and had acquaintances in the region.

How Did John Hogan Die
John Hogan died of a heroin overdose on October 9, 2004, exactly 24 years ago, at the age of 42.

How Did John Hogan Pass Away?

Unfortunately, John died of a heroin overdose on October 9, 2004, at the age of 42, and the authorities were unable to bring him to justice. Michelle Wyatt Murder took place exactly 24 years ago today. According to the show, the investigators thought that John was on leave and decided to attack her that night while visiting friends.

They assumed John went to Michelle’s residence and banged on her door after witnessing the boyfriend leave. Michelle may have opened the door expecting to see her partner, only to be greeted by John.

Michelle’s parents wished they could confront the perpetrator after learning about him. “I’m delighted he’s gone,” Louise said, “but I’m missing something; what is the term I’m looking for.” Closure. I don’t have closure, and I really need it. At the very least, I know this guy isn’t out there anymore, yet I still want him.”

You can stream The Case With Paula Zahn’s episode, ‘Eyes in the Darkness,’ exclusively on Investigation Discovery and discovery+.

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