In a breakthrough development, authorities believe they have finally solved a murder case that had remained unsolved for more than half a century. The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office announced that advanced forensic testing on DNA samples taken from the scene of the crime led detectives to identify a suspect in the killing.

The victim, Wayne Pratt, was stabbed to death on June 12, 1963, at an Enco gas station located along U.S. Highway 41 in Winnebago, Wisconsin. Pratt, who was 24 years old at the time, worked as a gas station operator. Marie Pratt, his wife, discovered his body covered with a blanket in the back room of the station. He had suffered a brutal 53 stab wounds.

Marie Pratt informed authorities that her husband had been watching TV at home when he went outside after a car pulled up to the gas station around 8:40 p.m. that fateful night. The Pratts lived just 50 feet away from the Enco station. She recalled that Wayne walked towards the station, assuming the customer needed gas.

The case remained cold for several decades, with no arrests made and limited information available. However, in 2011, the investigation was reopened, hoping advances in DNA analysis could provide a breakthrough. In 2015, DNA mixtures were discovered on the blanket where Pratt's body was found. Unfortunately, the mixed composition prevented authorities from entering the information into their databases to search for a suspect.

Fast forward to this year when Cybergenetics was finally able to piece together a DNA profile from the mixture. The DNA ultimately led authorities to identify William Doxtator of Bowler, Wisconsin, as the suspect. Doxtator, who was 82 years old at the time, had been previously identified as a suspect shortly after Pratt's murder in 1963. Tips regarding Doxtator's involvement in the case also surfaced in 1968 and 2022. Sadly, Doxtator passed away in 2022.

Following the identification of the suspect, a charge for first-degree intentional homicide was referred to the Winnebago District Attorney. Winnebago County District Attorney Eric Sparr supported the sheriff's referral, stating that there would be sufficient evidence to pursue a homicide charge if Doxtator were alive today.

The Winnebago County District Attorney's Office commended the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office for their dedication and perseverance in this long-standing case. The discovery of the suspect brings a sense of finality and resolution for the families impacted by Pratt's murder, even after 59 years.

The identification of William Doxtator as a suspect through advanced DNA testing highlights the importance of technological advancements in solving cold cases. Although justice may not be served in a court of law, the closure and resolution it brings to the families affected by these tragedies are invaluable.