For a decade, Art and Lois Serrin have desperately sought the identity of the man they found having sex with their daughter moments before discovering her lifeless body.

Now, innovative DNA technology may have finally revealed his face, officials said Tuesday.

Jodine Serrin, a 39-year-old Carlsbad woman with developmental disabilities, was found beaten and strangled in her condominium on Feb. 14, 2007. DNA evidence collected from the bedroom where she was found was analyzed numerous times over the years, but it never led to a suspect.


Jodine Serrin (Crime Stoppers)

Recently, detectives on the case submitted that DNA to Parabon NanoLabs, which has developed a test that transforms genetic material into a digital image of an unknown suspect. The process typically costs $3,600, a company spokeswoman said.

Investigators believe it’s the first time the technology has been used in San Diego County, and called it a game changer for unsolved cases — especially ones that have gone cold, like Jodine Serrin’s death.

Carlsbad police Chief Neil Gallucci said any tool that gets detectives one step closer to catching and prosecuting a suspect is a worthwhile investment.


“To create a profile that someone out there recognizes, that sparks even one phone call that helps our detectives — that’s an awesome possibility,” he said.

The process, called phenotyping, uses DNA to predict a suspect’s skin color, eye color, hair color, gender, ancestry and face shape. It can even determine if someone has freckles or not.

According to the analysis, the man who killed Serrin has very fair to fair skin, green or blue eyes, blonde or brown hair and some freckles. He is likely in his 40s and of Northern European descent.

Using information from Jodine Serrin’s father, who may have caught a glimpse of the killer that Valentine’s Day night, police also believe the suspect is heavyset with a fat stomach and disheveled hair. He is between 5 feet 8 inches and 6 feet tall and likely has a history of mental health issues.


“We believe the suspect was an acquaintance of, or had just met the victim,” said Tony Johnson, an investigator with the San Diego District Attorney’s Office. “We believe there are friends of Jodine who will recognize the composite, and we urge them to call us.”

(Crime Stoppers)

Officials released the suspect’s image on Tuesday, the 10th anniversary of Serrin’s death, and asked anyone with information to call (760) 931-2225. Her parents said the image has given them hope that their daughter’s murderer may one day be brought to justice.

“We feel that somehow, somewhere he’s out there and somebody knows something — whatever that might be, it will help,” said Art Serrin. “It’s been tough waiting. Ten years is a long time.”


Usually on the anniversary of their daughter’s death, the Carlsbad couple gets out of town to insulate themselves from anything that might remind them of that horrific day.

It was Valentine’s Day 2007. The parents were celebrating the holiday at the movies, but Lois Serrin couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.

Although Jodine had lived independently for 15 years, she had mental disabilities that called for extra care. It was very unusual to go a day without hearing from her, and they hadn’t spoken since the night before.

They left the theater before the movie was done and went to their daughter’s condominium on Swallow Lane. When they unlocked the door, a chainlock was in place. They called out to her, but there was no answer. That’s when Art Serrin kicked open the door.


The parents rushed in, and stumbled on their daughter apparently having sex with a man who looked vaguely familiar. Startled, they went to another part of the residence to wait, but their daughter never emerged.

When they peeked in on her again, she was dead and the man was gone.

Since then, the couple has partnered with police to solve the case.

They created a website where people could learn of the case and submit information. With help from the Governor’s Office, a reward of $52,000 was put together for anyone who provides information that leads to an arrest.


The couple is holding out hope that the new image will finally lead to their daughter’s killer.

“We need to get this monster out of the woodwork and off the street,” Art Serrin said. “That’s what’s kept me and my wife going.”

Twitter: @LAWinkley


(619) 293-1546

lyndsay.winkley@sduniontribune.com