Investigators in Washington State say tips are pouring in regarding the cold case of a Victoria-area couple murdered in 1987.
More than 70 tips have come in since detectives released a composite image of a possible suspect in the 31-year-old murders of Tanya Van Cuylenborg and Jay Cook, according to the Snohomish County Sheriff's Office.
The image was created using snapshot DNA phenotyping, a new technology that helps determine a suspect's eye, skin and hair colour, facial features and ancestry.
The snapshot shows three images of what the young couple's killer may have looked like at 25, 45 and 65 years old.
He's depicted as a white male of European descent with hazel or green eyes, light hair, vary fair skin, possible freckles and possible male pattern baldness.
"Good to have some life breathed into it, and hopefully gives the family some hope too," said sheriff's office spokeswoman Shari Ireton.
Detectives will now begin the arduous task of sifting through each of the tips in hopes of tracking down a murder suspect.
Van Cuylenborg, 18, and Cook, 20, set out on a trip to Seattle on Nov. 18, 1987, and were last seen by their families as they boarded a ferry in Victoria to Port Angeles.
Six days later, Van Cuylenborg's body was found in northern Snohomish County in Washington State. Her hands had been bound by plastic zip ties and investigators determined she had been sexually assaulted and then shot.
Cook's body was found beaten and strangled a few days later on Nov. 26.
Their killer was never found, and no suspects were ever arrested in the case.
The families of the victims have put up a $50,000 reward for any information that leads to the arrest or identification of the killer.
