Buckeye Reporter

In another victory for cross-agency collaboration on Ohio’s cold cases, BCI investigators and forensic scientists have linked the brutal attacks in 1987 of two northeastern Ohio females – one fatal – to the same suspect.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, Hudson Police Chief Perry Tabak, and Cuyahoga Falls Police Chief Christopher Norfolk announced that Thomas Collier Jordan, who died in 2009 in Arizona, was responsible for the rape and homicide of a 31-year-old woman in Hudson Township and the rape of a 17-year-old girl in Cuyahoga Falls.

“The need for answers does not dwindle with the passage of time,” Yost said. “This case is yet another example of BCI working alongside local law enforcement to breathe new life into cases that were once considered unsolvable. My hope is that our results provide victims and their loved ones with the closure that they deserve.”

Jordan was identified through extensive detective work and forensic analysis conducted by the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Cold Case Unit at the request of the Hudson Police Department.

“I am proud to have collaborated with Attorney General Yost’s Cold Case Unit and various law enforcement agencies, including the dedicated officers who initially worked on these cases,” said Hudson Police Chief Tabak. “Through our teamwork and modern technology, we have resolved these long-standing cases. Most importantly, I hope this brings closure to the victims and their families, helping them heal after years of seeking answers. Our commitment to justice remains strong, and we are grateful to be part of this vital process.”

BCI's collaboration with the Cuyahoga Falls Police Department also proved pivotal to solving the case.

"Through cooperative efforts with the Ohio Attorney General's Office and law enforcement partners, the Cuyahoga Falls Police Department is committed to diligently investigating cold cases, delivering justice, and providing solace to the victims and families impacted by unresolved criminal incidents,” said Cuyahoga Falls Police Chief Chris Norfolk.

On Aug. 10, 1987, Janice Christensen had driven to the Metro Bike Path in Summit County’s Hudson Township to go for a jog. When she didn’t return home, she was reported as missing, eliciting a prompt response from law enforcement.

Police and several family members searched for Christensen. Tragically, her body – partially naked and with five stab wounds – was found the next morning by her husband Ken.

A pair of shoelaces lying next to Janice Christensen’s body did not belong to her. The victim’s car and car keys were missing. Six days later, the vehicle was found abandoned in Bedford.

Hudson police exhausted their resources trying to identify a suspect but came up empty. With DNA technology less advanced 37 years ago, a complete DNA profile of the offender could not be developed from evidence.

The case eventually turned cold.

In working to solve Christensen's case, BCI agents and Hudson detectives reviewed similar sexual assaults and homicides throughout northeastern Ohio. They believed that a second case involving a comparable criminal pattern might suggest a serial offender and help them solve Christensen’s homicide.

Investigators discovered a case with eerily similar circumstances allowing them sufficient evidence to close both cases.

On May 25, 1987, Michelle Puett-Howard had been sexually assaulted at Top of the World Park in Cuyahoga Falls. The teenager was walking alone on a trail when a man grabbed her, held a knife to her throat took her to a secluded area off-trail sexually assaulted her bound her hands ankles with shoelaces taking her underwear taking victim's car keys telling he taking vehicle

Puett-Howard now lives outside Ohio immediately reported rape police.

DNA evidence obtained again given status DNA testing time lack DNA databases case grew cold

Investigators struck similarities Both victims female attacked walking trail bound shoelaces sexually assaulted And both cases offender used knife stole victim’s car

In 2022 evidence from Cuyahoga Falls attack resubmitted BCI laboratory retested using advanced DNA technology results entered FBI Combined DNA Index System database more commonly known CODIS Although statute limitations prosecution passed investigators felt testing could lead serial offender

Which precisely happened

The DNA matched offender profile Jordan born Cleveland 1926 died Yuma Arizona age 83 Investigators searched living family members confirm DNA match without avail

Ultimately BCI agents traveled Yuma April 2024 exhume Jordan body obtain his DNA Subsequent DNA testing confirmed link between Jordan crimes against Christensen Puett-Howard

Reviewing Jordan criminal history Ohio BCI agents found extensive record He sentenced prison Trumbull County grand larceny sentenced Cuyahoga County burglary sentenced Geauga County malicious entry sentenced Geauga County rape stabbing burglary conviction remained prison until

Based on DNA evidence similarities between Hudson Township Cuyahoga Falls cases law enforcement confident Jordan responsible both crimes Given extensive criminal history Ohio thought committed additional sexual assaults during life

Jordan known ties Ohio Arizona Nevada California Louisiana Michigan BCI sharing information about case law enforcement nationwide hopes additional cases might solved

Created Attorney General Yost BCI Cold Case Unit provides resources investigation assistance local law enforcement advance unsolved homicides sexual assaults unit multidisciplinary team consisting special investigators criminal intelligence analysts experts bureau DNA laboratory work collaboratively review unsolved cases many apply latest forensic techniques hopes answering decades-old questions