Detectives reopened the cold case and collaborated with retired fingerprint expert Detective Timothy Kelly. A meticulous reexamination of the preserved fingerprint evidence from the crime scene led to a match with Ayala, who lived less than 200 yards from Schubert at the time of her killing, prosecutors said.
Further analysis focused on previously untested blood evidence found on Schubert’s clothing. Investigators determined that DNA from stains on her pantyhose and a white long-sleeved shirt contained a mixture of Schubert’s DNA and that of an unknown person.