Anastasia Nicolazzi

Over the next two decades, the Washington, D.C. area would experience a dramatic increase in its homicide rate, and Vicki's family worried that her murder would be buried under the pile of unsolved murders that was growing every year.

Over the next two decades, the Washington, D.C. area would experience a dramatic increase in its homicide rate, and Vicki's family worried that her murder would be buried under the pile of unsolved murders that was growing every year.

When 28-year-old Vicki Lynn Belk, who was also the mother of a young son, was murdered in 1979, police were left with very few clues to who was responsible.

When 28-year-old Vicki Lynn Belk, who was also the mother of a young son, was murdered in 1979, police were left with very few clues to who was responsible.

The case went cold for years. But detectives in Maryland never gave up hope that one day her murder would be solved.

The case went cold for years. But detectives in Maryland never gave up hope that one day her murder would be solved.

Over the previous 30 years, Vicki's family had never given up hope that police would one day have the evidence to find her killer and bring him to justice. And the fact that her case was being reopened was welcome news.

Over the previous 30 years, Vicki's family had never given up hope that police would one day have the evidence to find her killer and bring him to justice. And the fact that her case was being reopened was welcome news.

But as we know, DNA science, especially 20 years ago, was not a magic wand. It took time, resources and expertise that were often in short supply. And that was the case in Maryland.

But as we know, DNA science, especially 20 years ago, was not a magic wand. It took time, resources and expertise that were often in short supply. And that was the case in Maryland.

One of the risks of trying to extract DNA from a sample of biological evidence like a hair, a spot of blood, or in this case, semen, is that you have to use up some of that sample in order to test it.

One of the risks of trying to extract DNA from a sample of biological evidence like a hair, a spot of blood, or in this case, semen, is that you have to use up some of that sample in order to test it.

That news was a hard pill to swallow. But it wasn't the last of the challenges his cold case investigation would face.

That news was a hard pill to swallow. But it wasn't the last of the challenges his cold case investigation would face.

The DNA testing was on hold. The bullet that killed her was missing. But taking a cue from Vicki's own family, John deployed one of a detective's most effective weapons, patience.

The DNA testing was on hold. The bullet that killed her was missing. But taking a cue from Vicki's own family, John deployed one of a detective's most effective weapons, patience.

That DNA profile was then entered into CODIS. And within days, the computer had returned a result that was now 43 years in the making.

That DNA profile was then entered into CODIS. And within days, the computer had returned a result that was now 43 years in the making.

A deep dive into Taylor's background revealed a long criminal history, including a murder charge for fatally shooting a man during an armed robbery in Washington.

A deep dive into Taylor's background revealed a long criminal history, including a murder charge for fatally shooting a man during an armed robbery in Washington.