Bristol County DA’s Office make an arrest in a nearly 20-year-old homicide with the help of advanced DNA analysis and forensic genetic genealogy funded by Season of Justice.
Fall River, MA (December 19, 2024) — The Bristol County District Attorney’s Office announced today that an arrest has been made in the 2005 unsolved homicide of Suzanna Alvarado. The arrest of Simao Farias of New Bedford, MA, was the result of advanced forensic testing and analysis conducted by Othram Labs, funded through a grant awarded by Season of Justice in 2021.
Suzanna’s remains were discovered on October 17, 2005, along Route 88 near I-195 in Westport. During the initial investigation, a DNA profile was developed, but it did not match any entries in the state’s CODIS database. In 2020, the Bristol County DA’s Cold Case Unit reviewed the forensic evidence in Suzanna’s case and identified a possible suspect DNA profile on Suzanna’s shirt. However, like before, the profile did not produce a match in the state database.
With traditional methods exhausted, detectives turned to Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG), a tool that has become instrumental in solving complex cold cases. The DA’s Office sought assistance from Othram Labs to perform advanced DNA analysis and genealogical research. Thanks to funding from Season of Justice, Othram’s work produced investigative leads that ultimately led to the identification and arrest of Simao Farias.
Season of Justice is honored to have played a small role in supporting this cold case investigation and the incredible work the Bristol Co. DA’s Office Cold Case Unit is doing to bring justice to these victims. Season of Justice extends its deepest gratitude to the Bristol Co. DA’s Office, Othram, every investigator who’s worked tirelessly on Suzanna’s case, and to our donors who make these grants possible.
Watch a clip from the press conference below: