In January 2008, a suspect pumped an ADA teenager Daniel Spray at gunpoint into a vehicle near Northwest 13th and Blackwelder viewpoints while she walked to a convenience store. The suspect drove her to several places where he pepper-sprayed and punched her in the face, and sexually assaulted her. Despite having physical descriptions and vehicle information as well as DNA evidence, investigators were unable to identify the suspect. Consequently, for the 17 years, this case remained cold.
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The Initial Investigation and Collection of DNA
Oklahoma City Police Department Master Sergeant Dillon Quirk described the problem with investigating it. “DNA was collected. “There was a profile for a person, but it was unrivaled at that time.” Law enforcement databases contain unmatched DNA profiles from crime scenes waiting for a match. Furthermore, this victim had waited for almost two decades without knowing who her assailant was. Private investigators understand that cold case investigations of sexual assaults require special skills and sacrifice. These professionals deal only with individual cases, whereas the agencies of government control many hundreds of ongoing investigations. Therefore, families employ private investigators when resources provided by the official system become stretched too thin. As a result, a cold case investigator works with law enforcement in bringing new minds to cold cases.
The Critical DNA Breakthrough This Year
For 17 years, the case seemed hopeless even in the face of documented evidence. Then in 2023, investigators made a critical breakthrough. The DNA from an unrelated case matched the DNA profile of the 2008 assault. Investigators immediately named Daniel Spray as a suspect. “You’re trying to find that piece of the puzzle that I’ve been talking about. Where can I find the missing piece to link it all together?” Quirk explained. This case by case match of this DNA shows how modern forensics databases solve what seemed to be unsolvable crimes. The breakthrough came about through normal law enforcement processes and is illustrative of why private investigators are keen to have access to databases and to work in conjunction with forensic partnerships. Contemporary cold case investigators make use of CODIS, which automatically compares the DNA profiles from multiple cases. Advances in DNA testing that have occurred in the past two decades have improved profile quality significantly. Additionally, serial offenders are typically present in more than one investigation, allowing for match opportunities of the DNA.
Victim Identification and Timeline
Court documents stated that the victim suffered from an extended illness that prevented her identification earlier. In August 2025, she positively identified Daniel Spray out of a police lineup. This victim identification helped to further strengthen the prosecution’s evidence considerably. Identifying victims requires extreme sensitivity from investigators who have to take care with the impact of trauma. Therefore, the private investigators who deal with sexual assault cases have specialized trauma-informed training.
Spray did not face arrest until October 2025, even with the DNA match in 2023. Authorities brought charges in October of 2025, and coordinated efforts led to Spray’s arrest. The Oklahoma City Police Department, United States Marshals Service, and Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office worked well together.
Statistics Limitations Reform
Oklahoma’s Senate Bill 1658 was essential in the prosecution of this 17-year-old case. This legislation removed the statute of limitations for any case of rape if DNA evidence identifies the suspect. Prosecutors could charge Spray even though 17 years have gone by since the assault. Senator Garvin wrote the legislation (SB 1658) in particular to bind repeat offenders to multiple victims. Charges filed under this law deal with multiple assaults by the same perpetrator to protect future victims.
The law has important protections for the rights of defendants, but importantly, they do not protect them too much. Prosecutors must complete prosecution within 3 years of DNA identification. Additionally, SB 1658 made pathways for processing untested rape kits in crime labs throughout the nation. Crime age was not a legislative consideration because advancing victim justice became the legislative priority.
The Position of Private Investigators
Private investigators play important roles in cold case sexual assault investigations because of their specialized skills and commitment. They bring new witnesses into the fold for interviews, reanalyze case files, consult forensic experts, and conceive of underdeveloped investigative theories. Furthermore, private investigators have contacts with forensic experts and retired police officers sharing special insights. These are Huffman’s words describing how government professionals differ from nongovernmental ones: “These professionals delegate their sole attention to specific cases in ways government agencies cannot.”
Families looking for closure will want to consider the assistance of qualified private investigators in the face of official investigations stalling without leads. These professionals know the victim-centered approaches and trauma-informed investigation principles well. They are of great support at times when families deserve answers, but their loved ones received only when they had to wait for years for justice.
Conclusion
The Daniel Spray case is an example of how modern DNA technology, legislative reform, and dogged investigative work mean that the victims of sexual assault finally receive justice. This is a 17-year process from crime to conviction and clearly shows that cold cases are worth the attention and resources to continue. Moreover, victims should get closure regardless of how much time has passed since their assault. Furthermore, an association of dedicated private investigators and law enforcement professionals solves cases that may otherwise never be solved, ever.
If you or someone in your family is looking for answers when a sexual assault or cold case does not seem to be over, then our experienced private investigators are here to help. We specialize in cold cases, victim support, and coordination with law enforcement agencies. Our team is aware of the emotional and legal complexities of the sexual assault case environment, and we approach every case in which we investigate with sensitivity and determination.
Contact Our Cold Case Investigation Team Today Phone: (405) 403-0106 Email: Makayla@ojpslegal.com Let us help you find out the answers your family deserves. Our private investigators are at your disposal for confidential consultations to discuss your case and establish how we can help you to pursue justice.
