The essentials
DNA evidence and confession linked former officer Steven Zelich to victim Jenny Gamez's death.
Following identification of remains in suitcases, investigation focus shifted to establishing culpability. Steven Zelich, a former Milwaukee-area police officer, became the primary suspect in the case.
FBI and Wisconsin State Police interviewed Zelich in March 2014, initiating formal questioning. DNA evidence recovered from a victim found in the second suitcase linked Zelich directly to the crime scene. This forensic evidence provided critical corroboration of the investigation's direction.
Zelich subsequently confessed to killing Jenny Gamez during a 'breath play' activity in Minnesota. According to his statement, he disposed of suitcases containing remains after a coworker noticed an odor from his vehicle in Wisconsin. The disposal attempt and subsequent recovery of the suitcases proved instrumental in the investigation's conclusion.
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DNA and confession establish investigative certainty in case
Forensic DNA evidence directly connected Zelich to remains recovered in suitcases. The confession corroborated physical evidence, creating a complete investigative narrative from discovery through disposal. The coworker's observation of vehicle odor triggered the chain of events leading to evidence recovery.
Investigation progressed from interview to confession and established facts
March 2014 marked formal questioning of Zelich by FBI and Wisconsin State Police. DNA analysis provided objective linkage to victim remains. The suspect's subsequent confession detailed both the circumstances of death and the deliberate disposal actions taken afterward.