‘Cases are never over’: New DNA evidence links decades-old cold case to notorious serial killer

HILLSBORO, Ore. (KPTV/Gray News) — A 33-year-old cold case has been solved in Washington County.

Investigators said modern DNA technology helped them confirm a deceased serial killer murdered an 82-year-old Hillsboro woman in her home back in 1992.

Elizabeth Wasson was found murdered in her home, and investigators suspected Cesar Barone, a convicted serial killer who died in prison in 2009.

“Her husband was a pastor, so she was really involved in the church community,” Megan Townsend, a Hillsboro Police Department detective who reopened the case, said. “She was babysitting her 2-year-old granddaughter before this happened.”

Detectives in the 1990s collected DNA evidence even though they didn’t have the technology to test it at the time.

But that evidence has now helped investigators finally link Barone to Wasson’s murder.

Investigators had suspected Barone for decades.

Former Washington County Sheriff’s Office Detective Murray Rau recalled Barone as a muscular figure when he was convicted in 1995 of four other murders: 65-year-old Margaret Schmidt in 1991, 41-year-old Martha Bryant in 1992, 23-year-old Chantee Woodman in 1992, and 51-year-old Betty Williams in 1993.

Barone was also convicted of several sexual assaults.

“The community was in a lot of fear. Women were in fear for their safety before Mr. Barone was caught. Many of that community still remember that time,” Allison Brown, Washington County Chief Deputy District Attorney, said.

In his final interview with Barone in the prison infirmary, the suspect looked frail.

“We simply would like to find some answers for some of the families,” Rau said. Barone’s method of operation lined up with Wasson’s case, but he wouldn’t confess.

“It was very interesting to see someone who’s just so caught up in themselves and nothing else phased him or mattered,” Rau described.

Decades later, the cold case unit returned to the lab.

“When this happened, DNA was just becoming available as a tool for investigators,” Brown said.

With 2026 technology, Barone’s DNA was a match, confirming 30 years of suspicion.

“I know he’s deceased. I know we’re not going to have a trial, but man, it’s like a rush of adrenaline. It’s hard to explain, it’s like - wow, this is awesome. These cases are never over,” Rau said.

The Wasson family didn’t want to speak on camera, but told detectives they’re relieved to finally have answers.

The Washington County Cold Case Unit is using DNA in hopes of solving many more cold cases, such as the murder of Veta Hardebeck, who was killed in 1994.