NEWYou can now hear Fox News articles. A Washington man pleaded guilty to two decades-old cold case crimes after investigators linked him to the crimes using a clever trick and a piece gum. Mitchell Gaff, 68 entered his pleas in Snohomish County Superior Court on Thursday, where he admitted the rapes, murders, and muggings of Judith “Judy” Weaver and Susan Vesey. Gaff, a self-described rapist and “sexual sadist”, was linked to the killings when investigators matched DNA samples found on a piece Gaff’s gum to both crime scene, according to USA Today. Report: DNA finally solves a decades-old teen murder case. The pieces of gum were sent to the federal database CODIS where investigators linked Gaff with both murders. Everett, according to police, was first arrested in May 2024 for charges relating to Weaver’s murder. Authorities say that on June 2, 1984 first responders were called by the fire department to investigate a fire at Weaver’s home on Rucker Ave. Her body was found inside. ‘TIMES QUARE KILLER” USED FAKE COPY TO MURDER A 18-YEAR OLD NURSING STUDENT : DEATHBED ACCUSATIONOnce he was in custody, the authorities connected him to Vesey’s murder. Her husband discovered her murdered in her home on July 12, 1980 – just a day after her 21st Birthday. Gaff’s admission follows a lifetime of terrorizing the Washington community. He was arrested multiple times and eventually forced to register as a sexual offender. Gaff then launched a brutal assault on Brown, slamming the weapon into her head and beating her with it. Brown reportedly waited for Gaff to put down his gun before trying to escape. “I stood up and I was trapped. He said, ‘You are going to die now you [expletive]’. “Brown managed to escape, and Gaff was later convicted of assault with a deadly weapon and burglary in the case, according to the outlet. The girl who managed to escape ran for help and Gaff fled the scene. According to USA Today, he pleaded guilty to two charges of rape as well as burglary. Find out more on the TRUE CRIME HUB. Gaff confessed that he had raped at least eight women and girls during the 1980s. Everett mayor Cassie Franklin stated in a previous press release that she was “proud” of the Everett Police Department’s ability to solve this murder case using DNA analysis techniques. “We honor Susan as we bring this criminal to justice. “Gaff will be sentenced May 13. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD FOX NEWS APPThe Everett Police Department has not responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Jesse Watson, a Fox News Digital reporter, contributed to this story.
