LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Monday, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department identified the man suspected of kidnapping, raping, and murdering Western High School student Kim Bryant in 1979.
LVMPD met with the media and provided details about the cold case dating back more than 40 years.
#NEW: We are at Metro Police HQ waiting to hear an update on a 1979 homicide cold case investigation.
Press conference set for 2:00. pic.twitter.com/c9hMYolpqt— @SeanKTNV (@seanktnv) November 29, 2021
Lt. Ray Spencer said Bryant was last seen at a Dairy Queen by the school. Her backpack was later found by Decatur and Charleston Boulevards, and her body was also found in the area — but the case went cold.
However, thanks to a generous donation, police were able to retest a DNA sample and identify Johnny Blake Peterson as a suspect in the case. Peterson died in 1993, according to police.
The press conference was held at 2 p.m. at the LVMPD headquarters and a livestream of the announcement can be seen below:
