This story contains references to sexual assault. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can call RAINN's National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
HUDSON, Ohio — Investigators with Ohio’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and forensic scientists say they have a suspect they believe was responsible for the attacks against two women, one of whom was killed, in 1987.
Officials allege, after new DNA testing, that a man named Thomas Collier Jordan raped and killed a 30-year-old woman in Hudson Township and raped a 17-year-old girl in Cuyahoga Falls. Jordan died in 2009 in Arizona, according to a release from Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost’s office.
“The need for answers does not dwindle with the passage of time,” Yost said in the release. “This case is yet another example of BCI working alongside local law enforcement to breathe new life into cases that were once considered unsolvable. My hope is that our results provide victims and their loved ones with the closure that they deserve.”
The release states that it was detective work and forensic analysis, at the request of the Hudson Police Department, that led investigators to identifying Jordan as the suspect.
Hudson Police Chief Perry Tabak said he was proud to have collaborated with the Cold Case Unit and other agencies.
“Through our teamwork and modern technology, we have resolved these long-standing cases. Most importantly, I hope this brings closure to the victims and their families, helping them heal after years of seeking answers. Our commitment to justice remains strong, and we are grateful to be part of this vital process.”
According to the release, the investigators found the cases similar and were able to retest evidence from one, which matched to Jordan’s profile.
Investigators were able to obtain DNA from Jordan’s body in Arizona in 2024, and the DNA testing they did following that linked him to both crimes, the release states.
“Based on the DNA evidence and the similarities between the Hudson Township and Cuyahoga Falls cases, law enforcement is confident that Jordan was responsible for both crimes,” the release reads. “And given his extensive criminal history in Ohio, he is thought to have committed additional sexual assaults during his life.”
In addition to Ohio and Arizona, the release states that he had connections to Nevada, California, Louisiana and Michigan. They are sharing information with law enforcement officers around the country “in hopes that additional cases might be solved.”
"Through cooperative efforts with the Ohio Attorney General's Office and law enforcement partners, the Cuyahoga Falls Police Department is committed to diligently investigating cold cases, delivering justice, and providing solace to the victims and families impacted by unresolved criminal incidents,” said Cuyahoga Falls Police Chief Chris Norfolk in the release.
