After nearly three decades, a family is finally seeing movement in a case that has haunted them since 1994.
Baltimore County homicide detectives have announced the arrest and charging of 68-year-old Donald Lester in the cold case murder of his estranged wife, Linda Lester, a beloved 31-year-old Baltimore County 911 police dispatcher.
Linda Lester was last seen alive on October 11, 1994, when she was leaving her shift and heading to Donald Lester’s home to pick up her 2-year-old child. The couple was in the process of a divorce and living separately. When Linda didn’t return, her sister reported her missing the next day, and her body was tragically discovered days later off of I-70.
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While Donald Lester was questioned at the time of the disappearance, a lack of sufficient evidence meant the case went cold.
The breakthrough came recently when cold-case detectives—with the crucial assistance of modern forensic science—re-examined the evidence. It was forensic evidence collected from the victim that finally provided investigators with the evidence needed to file charges against the former husband.
“We commend the Baltimore County Police Department’s Cold Case Squad for their vigilant and dedicated work to close this case and achieve justice for Linda Lester and her family,” said Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier. Klausmeier praised Linda’s dedication, noting that as a 911 dispatcher, Linda “worked tirelessly to make our county a safer place.”
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Donald Lester is currently being held without bond at the Baltimore County Detention Center.
The Baltimore County Police Department extended its gratitude to DNA Labs International—a private forensic DNA laboratory—and the Maryland State Police, Forensic Sciences Division for their critical support in finally cracking the case.
The charges mark a significant victory for the Cold Case Squad, providing closure to a case that has remained open for 29 years.
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