Illinois Man Charged In 1993 Murder After Forensic Genealogy DNA Match
On Tuesday, May 26, 2026, Madison County State's Attorney Tom Haine announced first-degree murder charges against 70-year-old Albert L. "Buddy" Zigler of Caseyville, Illinois.[1]
Randy Gail Sperino, 34, was found dead on November 9, 1993, in a rural field in unincorporated Granite City with massive blunt force trauma to the head.[1] Madison County State's Attorney Tom Haine said investigators used forensic genealogical DNA analysis on decades-old evidence to identify Zigler after conventional DNA testing and leads failed for more than 30 years.[1]
Sheriff Jeff Connor began pursuing forensic genealogy as a potential tool in the Sperino case about seven years ago, before the technique became widespread in cold-case work.[1]
The arrest highlights how newer DNA and genealogical methods can revive decades-old investigations and produce charges where earlier tests and leads produced none.
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📌 Key Facts
- On Tuesday, May 26, 2026, Madison County State's Attorney Tom Haine announced first-degree murder charges against Albert L. "Buddy" Zigler, 70, of Caseyville, Illinois.
- Victim Randy Gail Sperino, 34, was found dead on November 9, 1993, in a rural field in unincorporated Granite City with massive blunt force trauma to the head.
- Investigators used forensic genealogical DNA analysis on decades-old evidence to identify Zigler after conventional DNA testing and leads failed for more than 30 years.
- Sheriff Jeff Connor began pursuing forensic genealogy as a potential tool for the Sperino case about seven years before it became widespread in cold case work.
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