THREE RIVERS, Mich. — Police updated the public on a cold case out of Three Rivers.
Cathy Swartz was found dead inside her apartment back in 1988.
Robert Waters, her suspected killer, was identified and arrested weeks ago, 35 years after the alleged murder took place.
However, Waters was found dead inside his jail cell in South Carolina over the weekend.
The Three Rivers Police Department confirmed Waters's death was the result of suicide.
Officials say that Cathy's daughter, who was 9 months old at the time of her mother's death, is thankful he has been identified, but like everyone else, she still has questions.
"Anytime you have a situation like this, you go through a range of emotions, ranging from anger to sadness, that I would say that as to be expected that it's an emotional roller coaster," said Chief Scott Boling.
Waters's arrest resulted from forensic genetic genealogy, using DNA evidence found at the scene to develop a suspect.
While investigators may never know what his motive was in 1988, they know he acted alone.
"Mr. Waters managed to keep himself out of trouble for 35 years, never getting fingerprinted, never having his DNA collected. So I truly believe without FFG, we would have never solved this case," said Detective Sergeant Sam Smallcombe.
The Three Rivers Police Department is waiting for reports from outside agencies before closing the case at the department level.
If you or someone you know needs mental health help or is considering suicide, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 800-273-8255 or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org
