By Seamus McGraw
(Continued)
Cell phone call leads to suspect
The charges capped one of the largest criminal investigations in recent Vermont history. Some 70 law enforcement officials worked on the case, police have said.
Rooney, a 36-year-old contractor who has admitted to police that he accompanied Michelle as she walked along Burlington's Main Street in the moments before her disappearance, was linked to the slaying after authorities matched a spot of his blood found on his jeans with a semen sample taken from Michelle's body. Last week, a source erroneously told Crime Library that DNA tests had shown the blood sample to have been Michelle's.
The arrest came just days after Rooney was ordered to submit DNA samples to investigators.
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| Michelle Gardner-Quinn |
An affidavit filed along with the charges shows that authorities had Rooney in their sights as a possible suspect within a day of Michelle's disappearance. Authorities first learned about him when a friend of Michelle's, Thomas Lang, told them he had received a cell phone call from Michelle — who was using Rooney's cell phone — not long before she vanished and called back hours later, after it was clear that Michelle was missing. Lang told authorities that Rooney answered his cell phone and they spoke for about four and half minutes, and that Rooney told him he had no idea where Michelle had gone.
Lang later told authorities that Rooney's answers seemed "a little" evasive, but Lang chalked it up to the after-effects of a long night of drinking.
Lang said Rooney called him back a short time later, and said he had a vague recollection that Michelle had mentioned that she might call a cab for the short ride back to her dormitory.
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Arrest Affidavit for Brian Rooney in the Murder of Michelle Gardner-Quinn
Information Release 10-25-06 PM
Rooney Charged With Aggravated Murder of Michelle Gardner-Quinn
Suspect in Michelle Gardner-Quinn Slaying Waives Bail Hearing
Gardner-Quinn's Blood Reportedly Found on Suspect's Pants
Police Seek Witnesses in Hunt for Michelle Gardner-Quinn
Mystery Man Seen Walking With Michelle Gardner-Quinn
Search for Michelle Gardner-Quinn Stretches from Virginia to Vermont
Michelle Gardner-Quinn, Vermont Co-Ed Disappeared
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