Kristin Noel David, a 22-year-old senior at the University of Idaho, vanished on a sunny summer day in 1981 while bicycling along a quiet stretch of Idaho highway. 

Nine days later, her dismembered remains were discovered in plastic bags floating in the Snake River, wrapped in newspaper pages and scattered across the current.

More than four decades later, questions remain about whether the aspiring journalist was the victim of a serial killer.

The same suspect was seen by several witnesses approaching or speaking with other female cyclists or pedestrians the same day David vanished, the FBI said.

Stewart believes modern advances in DNA technology can “breathe life” into murder cases that are 40 years old.

“In the past, investigators had fingerprints and instincts. Today, DNA technology, digital evidence databases and genealogy tracing can breathe life into even the coldest of cases. Evidence that once sat dormant in an evidence locker now has the power to speak. With those tools, even a 40-year-old case like Kristin’s can still break wide open,” he told Fox News Digital.

“We’ve seen decades-old cases solved across the country using modern tools. If the right piece of evidence is reanalyzed — or the right person finally comes forward — Kristin’s case could absolutely be solved.”

The seal of the FBI at the J. Edgar Hoover FBI building in Washington, D.C., March 10, 2025. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images)

Despite decades passing, the case remains open. On the 40th anniversary of her death, the FBI Salt Lake City appealed for help.

The FBI believes there are still people from the community who have not come forward with information that could help solve the case. 

FBI Salt Lake City Supervisory Senior Resident Agent Zach Schoffstall said at a June 2021 press conference the case is not considered “cold” and that investigators still need assistance from the public.

“Let me be clear: at this time, Kristin’s murder is not a cold case. It’s not going away, and we are dedicated more than ever to solving it. But we need your help,” he said.

“Today, we are renewing our call for the public’s assistance. We believe there are members of the community, whether they remain local or not, who haven’t yet come forward with information that could help solve this case. If you haven’t talked to law enforcement about what you know, please come forward now,” he said. “No tip is too small or insignificant.”

Anyone with information is urged to visit tips.fbi.gov or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.

Fox News Digital has reached out to the FBI Salt Lake City for comment.