Cold Case Murder Suspect Arrested

Jake Judd | Feb 12, 2019 AT 6:15 pm

Click to Enlarge Photo: Hennepin County Jail

(KNSI) - A man arrested in Waite Park is a suspect in a 25-year-old cold case in Minneapolis.

The Waite Park Police Department says Minneapolis police and the FBI arrested 52-year-old Jerry Westrom Monday in connection with the killing of Jeanne Ann Childs.

The 35-year-old Childs was found stabbed multiple times in her south Minneapolis apartment on June 13th, 1993.



According to Westrom's website, he lives in Isanti, but is a commodity broker in St. Cloud.

Investigators say they used forensic DNA testing and an online genealogy website to identify the suspect's DNA as being consistent with DNA left at the crime scene.

Westrom has a long criminal history including several arrests for DWI and other traffic violations. He was also convicted in Stearns County in 2015 for trying to hire a prostitute.

Elder says there is no known relationship between the suspect and the victim.

Westrom is being held in the Hennepin County Jail, pending charges.



Posted By Jake Judd Anchor/Reporter Jake Judd was born and raised in Anoka Minnesota where he attended high school. He attended Brown College where he graduated with a degree in broadcasting. Jake’s radio career includes news at KCII in Washington Iowa and news at KRCQ and KDLM in Detroit Lakes Minnesota.