OZARK, Ala. (WDHN) — Tony Spivey, the Ozark Police Department police chief at the time of the Beasley-Hawlett murder said that it was a lot of hard work and sleepless nights to finally bring someone to justice for this crime.
“We’re just absolutely thrilled that we can hopefully start a measure of closure for these families,” Spivey said at the Monday morning press conference here in Ozark. “Get them some answers in time that they deserve.”
Coley McCraney was arrested after a DNA match was found through a family DNA website, and Spivey said the police department always felt and believed that science would play a part in this case.
“The DNA science has come so far over the years with new techniques and new technology,” Spivey said. “And that’s what led us to where we’re at today, so I mean we’re just absolutely thrilled.”
Current Chief Marlos Walker said it was the Golden State Killer case that led he and other investigators to reach out to Parabon Nanolabs in Virginia, which specializes in DNA engineering.
“In a position like this, anything that you can do is worth it,” Spivey said. “No matter how minute it may sound, how crazy it may sound, do it. I mean what do you’ve got to lose?”
Spivey wasn’t the only one working on this case, so he said he wanted to thank all the men and women who put in their time and effort to help bring closure to this case.