Decades-old cold cases in Massachusetts have finally been closed thanks to breakthroughs in forensic genetic genealogy. A man has been identified as responsible for two heinous crimes: a 1991 murder and a 1993 rape.

Authorities announced that DNA evidence from the murder of Cherie Bishop and the rape of Donna Bell was uploaded to the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), which eventually led to a significant breakthrough, according to Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz.

“For years, the families of Bishop and Bell lived without the closure they deserved,” District Attorney Cruz stated. “These tragedies weighed heavily on them for a lifetime.”

The tragic events began when 28-year-old Cherie Bishop was discovered strangled in a wooded area near her home in Brockton in June 1991. Two years later, Donna Bell was raped in the same city, adding to the community’s distress.

Investigators have now identified Robert Carey of Brockton as the perpetrator of both crimes. Carey, who passed away in 2025, was linked to the crimes through advanced DNA analysis, finally bringing resolution to these long-standing cases.

Bishop was found dead in nearby Mulberry Park, wearing only socks and a diamond earring, Cruz said. Her cause of death was ruled to be mechanical asphyxiation, and the manner of death was homicide.

Investigators collected DNA evidence through a rape kit and analyzed it at the time, but no suspect was identified. The evidence was later retested as forensic genealogy techniques continued to advance.

A rape kit was also collected in Bell’s case.

Cruz said Bell was abducted from the street and sexually assaulted by a man in a vehicle, who threatened to strangle her if she resisted.

She managed to escape after, authorities said, she seized a sharp object. Bell died in 2021.

On June 25, 1991, the body of Cherie Bishop, 28, was found face down and nude, wearing red socks and a single diamond earring. (Plymouth County District Attorney)

Cruz said investigators had known since 2016 that the cases were connected, but available DNA evidence did not identify a suspect until advances in forensic genetic genealogy provided a breakthrough.

“Their exhaustive investigative work, combined with a DNA sample match, identified Robert Carey as the perpetrator,” Cruz said.

On April 4, 1993, Donna Bell was walking on Annis Avenue in Brockton, and a white man driving a van grabbed her, Plymouth County District Attorney Cruz said. (Plymouth County District Attorney)

The district attorney’s office said Othram, a Texas forensic genealogy lab, identified a likely relative of the suspect, helping investigators ultimately identify Carey.

Carey, who died of natural causes in June 2025 at 64, lived at the Brockton Veterans Administration Medical Center, about 1.5 miles from both crime scenes, the district attorney’s office said.

“None of this would have been possible without the tremendous effort and devoted work of the Massachusetts State Police, Brockton Police, the State Police Crime Lab, Trooper Joe Collett, Assistant District Attorneys Samantha Mullin and Jennifer Sprague, as well as Forensic Scientist Krista Lundgren,” Cruz said.

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A wealthy American big-game hunter met a tragic end when he was unexpectedly attacked and killed by a group of elephants during a hunting expedition in central Africa.

Ernie Dosio, a 75-year-old vineyard proprietor from California, who proudly displayed a vast array of exotic animal trophies in his home, was fatally trampled by the pachyderms.

Under the guidance of a seasoned professional, Dosio was navigating the dense forests of Gabon, having paid £30,000 ($40,000) for the opportunity to pursue the elusive yellow-backed duiker.

Throughout his hunting career, he had pursued some of the most formidable animals across Africa, such as elephants, leopards, rhinos, buffaloes, and lions. In the US, he had hunted nearly every wild deer species.

His fortune took a devastating turn last Friday in the Lope-Okanda rainforest when he inadvertently encountered five female elephants, one of which was accompanied by a calf.

African elephants are the largest living mammals and females can stand 12ft tall at the shoulder, weigh nearly four tons and run at speeds of up to 25mph

The startled elephant herd immediately charged Mr Dosio and his professional hunter.

The elephants were so well hidden in the dense undergrowth they appeared ‘as if from nowhere’ and the professional with the high-powered rifle was just flung aside.

Californian vineyard owner Ernie Dosio, 75, was ambushed and killed by five elephants whilst hunting

Over the decades Mr Dosio has hunted elephants, leopard, rhino, buffalo and lion across Africa as well as gazelle and antelopes 

Mr Dosio has hunted almost every species of wild deer and owns a vast collection of exotic animal heads in trophy rooms at home

He was seriously injured and lost his gun in the thick bush as the elephants attacked the terrified hunter with just a shotgun who was then brutally trampled underfoot.

A retired game hunter in Cape Town who knows the victim said: ‘Ernie has been hunting since he could hold a rifle and has many trophies from Africa and the US.

‘Although many disagree with big-game hunting, all Ernie’s hunts were strictly licensed and above board and were registered as conservation in culling animal numbers.

‘Ernie had booked a hunt for dwarf forest buffalo and duikers, in particular the yellow-backed duiker and, under strict licensing laws, he could not take along his own guns.

‘The hunting company would supply a shotgun and cartridges for the duiker hunt.

‘Whilst in the forest Ernie and his PH (professional hunter) surprised five forest elephant cows with a calf. Feeling under threat the elephants immediately attacked them.’

The professional hunter was attacked first and seriously injured, losing his rifle, leaving Mr Dosio with his shotgun.

‘I would rather not go into detail, but it is safe to assume it would have been quick,’ the hunter said.

‘Ernie was a very well-known and popular hunter in the US and in Africa and a very keen conservationist and he did a hell of a lot of charity work and was a really good guy.

‘What happened has been deeply felt by many each side of the Atlantic.’

Mr Dosio’s body is being repatriated by the US Embassy in Gabon to Lodi in California.

Gabon is known as Africa’s last Eden with 88 per cent of its 100,000 square mile territory covered by forest and it is home to 60 per cent of the world’s remaining forest elephants.

There are some 50,000 of them hidden deep in the dense forests of the country once famed for its pygmies which is now one of the richest in Africa per capita income.

Mr Dosio was hunting for the rare yellow-backed duiker, which is a shy forest dwelling antelope first discovered by an English botanist in 1815 with short 8in horns.

He also had a licence allowing him to hunt dwarf forest buffalo in Gabon.

The safari company Collect Africa confirmed a client had been killed on April 17 in a brief statement saying he and and his PH had encountered the elephants during a hunt in Central Gabon.

It said the professional hunter was injured after the pair encountered five female elephants while hunting for yellow backed duiker and that their client had been killed.

It said the matter was being handled by the US Embassy and his family in California.

The US Embassy in Gabon said that a media reply could take ‘several days’ to process through state apartments.

Dosio lived with long term partner Betty in a detached four-bed home on the outskirts of Lodi, 30 miles south of Sacramento in the heart of the California wine-growing region.

The father-of-two was the owner of Pacific AgriLands Inc which has its own 12,000-acre vineyard in Modesto but specialises in providing management for local wine farms.

Son Jeff is president of the highly successful company which also supplies custom vine harvesting equipment throughout the region which produces 40 per cent of Californian wines.

His other son Blake is also a farmer and believed to work in the thriving family business which supports most of the local vineyards including world-famous E & J Gallo wines.

Mr Dosio was a mainstay in the Sacramento Safari Club, a life member of hunting group California Wildfowl and on the board of the local Lodi Winegrape Commission.

He also held the post of Great Elk in the Californian Central District Elks which is a charitable group made up of 1,900 lodges with 750,000 members throughout the US.

The Elks are made up of patriotic American citizens known for its many philanthropic programs which support military veterans, youth scholarships and disaster relief.

Lodi Lodge secretary Tommy Whitman wrote on Facebook yesterday: ‘It is with a most heavy heart and sadness that I am reporting the passing of Ernio Dosio.

‘May all of our thoughts and prayers go out to his family and loved ones. Ernie was Great Elk for 30 years and a pillar in our community who will be sorely missed’.

He added afterwards: ‘Ernie always had his hand in his pocket and would help out those who needed it be it war veterans or handicapped or underprivileged kids.

‘He would never want recognition but he was always there with a loving heart.

‘Ernie’s passion was hunting and he spent much of his time either hunting here in the USA or in Africa and most of his trophies are on display at his own trophy rooms.

‘He will be really missed around here and was one of the real good guys’ he said.

A representative of Pacific AgriLand inc said: ‘Nobody here at present is available to speak. That has to be down to his son Jeff when he is ready to say something to you.

‘Ernie was very popular and Jeff is taking many calls as you can well imagine. It is a huge tragedy’ she said.

The big game hunter had his own private function rooms filled with hundreds of his trophies including elephant, rhino, bear, buffalo, lion, crocodile, zebra and leopard.

Mr Dosio also shot and had almost every species of buck in the USA including elk, moose and reindeer mounted on the walls along with wildfowl including turkeys and geese.

The father-of-two was the owner of Pacific AgriLands Inc which has its own 12,000 acre vineyard in Modesto but specialises in providing management for local wine farms 

Mr Dosio was a mainstay in the Sacramento Safari Club and a life member of hunting group California Wildfowl and on the board of the local Lodi Winegrape Commission

He also held the post of Great Elk in the Californian Central District Elks which is a charitable group made up of 1900 lodges with 750,000 members throughout the US

A family friend said: ‘Ernie would hold a charity function there every month where food was served to members of the Elk lodges and upstanding citizens of the community.

‘There would be judges, advocates and the heads of the local vineyards and big noises from industry and commerce and it was where all the local networking was done.

‘It was always a huge fundraiser with money raised going to help those who needed it.

‘Ernie with his big moustache was larger than life but did not show it off although he had money he was not one for the big house or fancy cars or the jet-set lifestyle.

‘He was a just a farmer and good old country boy who loved to hunt and fish. There are not many in the US today who would have a trophy collection to match Ernie’s.

‘The news of his death in Africa was like a bomb going off here. It has been said the elephants came out of nowhere. One thing is for sure he will get a huge send off.’

In August last year millionaire US big game hunter Asher Watkins, 52, was brutally gored to death by a buffalo he was stalking with a guide in Limpopo Province, South Africa.

The Cape Buffalo – known to hunters as Black Death – charged him from a blind spot at 55mph and impaled him on a horn during the £8,500 hunt before it was shot dead.

The professional hunter with him from Coenraad Vermaak Safaris fought desperately to save him but the area they were in was so remote he bled to death before help arrived.

Mr Watkins, from Texas, was also a conservationist who believed hunting was a vital part of preserving wildlife and also had many photos on his social media with trophies.

The divorcee who has a teenage daughter Savannah had his own successful company, Watkins Ranch Group, which sold exclusive ranched priced between £1million and £30million.

In July last year there was worldwide anger when a much-loved lion called Blondie was lured away from its game reserve and shot dead by a trophy hunter who paid £35,000.

Deer farmer Delvy Workman, 48, was named and shamed by both Africa Geographic and Lion Expose as the man who pulled the trigger killing the lion in Zimbabwe.

A photograph showed Blondie’s killer kneeling next to his carcass, but Workman brazenly posted on social media: ‘If I killed a lion it would be by cover photo’.

Workman also posted pictures of himself posing next to kills during a hunting trip to Zimbabwe, including a leopard, kudu and a zebra saying: ‘Let’s kill some lions’.

The lion had allegedly been lured from the safety of its reserve where it he was looking after his pride of ten cubs and three lionesses by being fed rotting meat.

As it followed the bait over a period of days and crossed over the Hwange National Park boundary, it was then deemed a legal shoot and the hunter shot him dead.

Blondie had been photographed by tourists from all over the world and had been fitted with a GPS collar by researchers from Oxford University as part of a study.

Blondie’s death had chilling echoes of the slaying of Cecil the lion in July 2015, who was lured away from safety then shot with a bow and arrow by a US dentist.

American Walter Palmer, then 55, from Minnesota, paid £50,000 to shoot and kill Cecil which was known worldwide after it was lured out of a Zimbabwe reserve.

A prisoner in Oregon, who transitioned from male to female while incarcerated, has been granted a substantial settlement following allegations of mistreatment. This comes after the individual, now known as Zera Lola Zombie, filed a lawsuit against the Oregon Department of Corrections, citing abuse by staff during their time in a male facility.

Zera Lola Zombie, who was born Daniel Lee Smith, has been residing in the women’s Coffee Creek Correctional Facility since April 2025. The settlement, reported by The Oregonian, amounts to $295,000 and is a result of a lawsuit initiated in 2021.

Zombie’s criminal record includes a conviction for first-degree manslaughter, having pleaded guilty to the 2014 beating death of a girlfriend, Samantha Lee Brown. The sentence was 20 years in prison, with an additional 15 years for first-degree assault after a violent incident with another inmate. Zombie is not expected to be released until 2049.

A mugshot from 2023 depicts Zera Lola Zombie as an inmate at the Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, underscoring the ongoing journey within the correctional system. Zombie publicly identified as transgender in 2020 and subsequently began hormone therapy. By 2022, Zombie was actively pursuing gender confirmation surgery while still in prison.

The Oregonian reported that Zombie came out as transgender in 2020, and began taking sex change hormones. In 2022, Zombie began the process of seeking a sex change surgery in prison.

According to the report, Zombie will receive $95,000 from the settlement, while Zombie’s attorneys will receive $200,000 to cover their fees.

Zombie claimed repeated sexual assaults by a cellmate at the Oregon State Penitentiary, and further sexual assaults at the hands of a different cellmate at Two Rivers Correctional Facility, according to court documents.

The claim said Zombie was discriminated against based on gender, that officials broke the law by housing a female in a male prison, said they failed to “follow both federal and Oregon rules and laws concerning the designation and protection of plaintiff as a Vulnerable Adult-In-Custody … at high risk for both physical and sexual assault,” housed an inmate with a known sexual predator, refused to provide legally-mandated counseling and failed to report the sexual assaults per Oregon and federal law.

The Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, a women’s prison and prisoner intake center operated by the Oregon Department of Corrections, is located in Wilsonville, Ore., in 2019. The facility opened in 1991. (KELLY JORDAN/Statesman Journal)

In 2023, a judge designated Zombie as a vulnerable person, forcing the prison to allow Zombie to live in a single-person cell.

“On this record, it is not at all clear that, without the Court’s intervention, defendants will refrain from placing plaintiff in a cell with an inmate known to be a sex offender, or that defendants will designate plaintiff as a vulnerable inmate,” said an order written by United States District Court Judge Ann Aiken. “Plaintiff need not await another assault before obtaining preventative relief.”

The Coffee Creek Correctional Facility, a women’s prison and prisoner intake center operated by the Oregon Department of Corrections, is located in Wilsonville, Ore. It opened in 1991. (KELLY JORDAN / Statesman Journal)

“While we cannot comment on specifics of litigation, we take all allegations of sexual assault seriously and are committed to addressing them thoroughly and responsibility, a spokesperson for the Oregon Department of Corrections told Fox News Digital. “We uphold our duty to protect those in our custody, guided by a zero-tolerance policy for sexual abuse and harassment. Prevention remains a priority, and we are dedicated to eliminating sexual assault and misconduct in Oregon’s correctional facilities.”

Zombie’s attorney, John Burgess, did not return a request for comment.

Amid growing tensions and uncertainties on the global stage, Poland’s prime minister has cast doubt on America’s steadfastness towards NATO should Russia launch an attack on Europe. This concern was voiced by Donald Tusk, who emphasized the urgency of clarifying America’s commitment to the Western alliance, warning that a Russian assault could be just months away.

In a conversation with the Financial Times, Tusk underscored that Europe’s pressing issue is determining whether the United States will uphold the loyalty it pledges in NATO treaties. His remarks come at a time of heightened scrutiny over the United States’ role within the alliance, particularly under President Donald Trump’s administration.

These statements mark a rare and pointed critique of President Trump’s unpredictable stance on NATO. His oscillating declarations—ranging from threats to withdraw the U.S. from the alliance to contemplating punitive measures against NATO for perceived inadequacies in supporting his Middle East endeavors—have left allied nations perplexed and uneasy about the future of transatlantic relations.

Tusk’s comments are a rare direct rebuke of US president Donald Trump’s flip-flopping on his position on NATO. 

From warning that he would pull the US out of NATO entirely to exploring ways to punish the alliance for not doing enough to help his war in the Middle East, members of the defence bloc have been left confused as to what Trump wants. 

He claimed to have ‘no complexes’ about relations between Poland and the US, adding: ‘Washington treats Poland as the best and the closest ally in Europe.’

But, he insisted: ‘For me, the real problem is what it is in practice if something happens.

‘I want to believe that [Article 5] is still valid, but sometimes, of course, I have some problems. 

Donald Tusk (pictured) said that the question of the US’ role in the Western alliance needed to be answered soon as Russia could attack an alliance member in a matter of ‘months’

Tusk’s comments are a rare direct rebuke of US president Donald Trump’s (pictured) flip-flopping on his position on NATO

‘I don’t want to be so pessimistic . . . but what we need today is also practical context.’ 

He pointed to NATO’s milquetoast reaction to the Russian incursion of drones into Poland last year, which saw the Kremlin send around 20 drones violate Polish airspace. 

Few of Poland’s NATO allies saw it as a material attack, with the alliance reluctantly scrambling fighter jets to shoot some of the drones down. 

Tusk recalled: ‘I had some problems during the night in September when we had this pretty massive drone provocation made by the Russians 

‘It wasn’t easy for me to convince our partners in Nato that it wasn’t a random incident, it was a well-planned and prepared provocation against Poland. 

‘For some of our colleagues, it was much easier to pretend that nothing happened. This is why I want to be certain that if something happened, that… Russia knows the reaction will be tough and unequivocal.’ 

He added that NATO also had to rise up to face the challenge Russia poses itself: ‘For the whole eastern flank, my neighbours . . . the question is if NATO is still an organisation ready, politically and also logistically, to react, for example against Russia if they try to attack.’

Tusk’s warning comes just as the Pentagon was revealed to be exploring ways for the US to punish NATO countries for failing to support the Iran war, including reviewing the UK’s claim to the Falklands Islands and suspending Spain from the alliance.  

The policy options are detailed in an email expressing frustration at some allies’ perceived reluctance or refusal to grant Washington access, basing and overflight (ABO) rights for the Iran war, a US official told Reuters.

The email stated that ABO is ‘just the absolute baseline for NATO,’ according to the official, who added that the options were circulating at high levels in the Pentagon.

(L-R) US Vice President JD Vance and US President Donald Trump listen to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio speak during a meeting on April 23

Royal Marine Peter Robinson carrying the Union Jack as he marched towards Stanley in the final hours of the Falklands War in June 1982

The memo also includes an option to consider reassessing US diplomatic support for longstanding European ‘imperial possessions,’ such as the Falkland Islands near Argentina.

The State Department’s website states that the islands are administered by the United Kingdom but are still claimed by Argentina, whose Libertarian President Javier Milei is a Trump ally. 

Britain and Argentina fought in 1982 over the islands after Argentina made a failed bid to take them. Some 650 Argentine soldiers and 255 British troops died before Argentina surrendered.

Donald Trump has repeatedly insulted Prime Minister Keir Starmer, calling him cowardly because of his unwillingness to join the US war with Iran, ​saying he was ‘No Winston Churchill’ and describing Britain’s aircraft carriers as ‘toys’.

Britain initially did not grant a request from the US to allow its aircraft to attack Iran from two British bases, but later ​agreed to allow defensive missions aimed at protecting residents of the region, including British citizens, amid Iranian retaliation.

One option in the email envisions suspending ‘difficult’ countries from important or prestigious positions at NATO, the official said. 

Sauce Gardner couldn’t help but chuckle when asked if he considers himself a three-time first-round draft pick.

“Even if I were to be a first-round choice for the next two years, I’d still put in the work,” Gardner remarked. He was taken by the Jets as the No. 4 overall pick in 2022, but was traded to the Colts last October in exchange for first-round picks in 2026 and 2027.

“I’ve already got plenty on my plate just being who I am, but it’s nothing I can’t manage,” he added with determination.

The highly anticipated draft kicked off on Thursday, yet six teams found themselves on the sidelines after trading away their first-round picks over the past year. These included the Colts, Packers (who acquired Micah Parsons), Broncos (Jaylen Waddle), Bengals (Dexter Lawrence), Jaguars (Travis Hunter), and Falcons (James Pearce Jr.). They had to wait until Friday to make their moves as the other 26 teams began bolstering their rosters.

However, not all is lost for these teams. For those like the Packers, Broncos, and Jaguars, who traded out of the latter half of the first round, the situation might not be as grim as it initially appears.

“Pretty heavy up at the top,” Patriots executive vice president Eliot Wolf said, per ESPN, in his evaluation of the draft class, “then maybe from, call it No. 25 to No. 50, is sort of the same level of player.”

Here is a look at what needs those six teams — left out of first-round mock drafts — could address:

Bengals (No. 41)

Both starting cornerbacks are free agents after the season, so the Bengals could get a jump on replacing DJ Turner II and/or Dax Hill.

This part of the draft also is a sweet spot to add a linebacker, after Browns second-round linebacker Carson Schwesinger won 2025 Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Throw in swing tackle, too.

Possibilities: LB Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech; LB CJ Allen, Georgia; CB Chris Johnson, San Diego State; CB Brandon Cisse, South Carolina; OT Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern.

Colts (No. 47)

Defense, defense, defense in a playoffs-or-bust season.

Their needs are similar to the Bengals’: Linebacker sticks out like a sore thumb, and they need a defensive back, especially a nickel/safety, because Kenny Moore II has requested a trade.

Improving the pass rush is important, too. A big-bodied receiver would complement the in-house receivers.

Possibilities: Allen; LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas; DB Keionte Scott, Miami; CB D’Angelo Ponds, Indiana; WR Malachi Fields, Notre Dame.

Falcons (No. 48)

It was stunning during the 2025 draft when the Falcons traded their first-rounder (wound up No. 13) and more to select Pearce (No. 26).

It sure would be nice to have No. 13 to draft Makai Lemon or Omar Cooper Jr. into the receiving corps. Instead, that could be the direction for the second round.

The Falcons don’t often draft players from Georgia, but this could be two years in a row doing so.

Possibilities: WR Germie Bernard, Alabama; WR Zachariah Branch, Georgia; OL Emmanuel Pregnon, Oregon; DT Christen Miller, Georgia; CB Keith Abney II, Arizona State.

Packers (No. 52)

The Packers default to using top picks on athletes in the defensive front seven, so that’s certainly a path forward.

Cornerback, including the nickel, looks like a spot for rookie reinforcements who could become starters in 2027.

And the offensive line depth is shaky. When it comes to backups, the franchise looks for guard/tackles or guard/centers who offer gameday flexibility.

Possibilities: Scott; Tiernan; OL Gennings Dunker, Iowa; edge Gabe Jacas, Illinois; edge Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State.

Jaguars (No. 56)

A second-round theme is starting to emerge with playmaking inside linebackers, but there are especially big shoes to fill here after All-Pro Devin Lloyd exited.

Another way to improve the run defense is to address defensive tackle.

The depth behind starting edges Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker also could use an upgrade.

Is Bhayshul Tuten really ready to be a starting running back in a committee?

Possibilities: RB Jadarian Price, Notre Dame; Hill; LB Josiah Trotter, Missouri; DT Gracen Halton, Oklahoma; edge R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma.

Broncos (No. 62)

One of the most balanced rosters in the NFL truly is set up to pick the best available player.

Fastballs Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper collapse the pocket off the edge, but a versatile defensive lineman with some inside pass rush ability would be a luxury pick.

Head coach Sean Payton is always looking for someone to fill his “Joker” do-it-all weapon on offense.

Possibilities: Price; Miller; TE Eli Stowers, Vanderbilt; TE Max Klare, Ohio State; DT Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State.

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