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John Hollenhorst ReportingInvestigators in Eastern Utah served a search warrant tonight on the prime suspect in a 19-year old murder mystery.
Mark Karren has to give up hair, blood and fingerprint evidence that investigator say may connect him to the disappearance of his wife. Tonight's developments cap an extraordinary week of investigative work to crack the case.
The theory is Karren's wife is buried close to a 100 feet underground. This week, detectives started drilling to try to find her.
A convoy of investigators headed out before dawn into remote ranch country near Dinosaur National Monument. Just across the Colorado line they focused on an old water well that was filled in years ago. 11 cadaver dogs picked up a scent directly on top of the well in 2002.
Bob Vanderbusse, Uintah County Investigator: "There's something definitely human down in that hole. These dogs, I've never seen them hit on animal scent."
Rhonda Fae Karren vanished 19 years ago. When she failed to turn up for work at the Vernal K-Mart, her mother went to Rhonda's house and found signs of a struggle.
Audrey Slaugh, Victim's Mother: "Her purse and cigarettes were on the counter. That girl wouldn't even go to the bathroom without her cigarettes."
From the first moment, Audrey Slaugh believed her daughter was murdered. She's waited 19 years for proof.
Audrey Slaugh: "It matters a lot. I think of it every day. I need to know."
This is the second attempt by detectives to drill into the well. The prime suspect's family had property in the area. Investigators say he was seen in the same area the night of Rhonda's disappearance. The following year, new owners tried to pump water from the well, but noticed a foul smell.
Bob Vanderbusse: "When they pulled the intake out, it was matted with hair, long hair. And they figured it was an animal down there so they covered it up."
A drilling company donated its services to detectives.
Lori Martin, Co-Owner, Pete Martin Drilling, Inc.: "Her family deserves the closure if we can, hopefully, find her."
The drilling produced no obvious indications of human remains, but some dirt and hairs found in the well seemed to be of interest to cadaver dogs.
Chief Deputy Wally Hendricks, Duchesne County Sheriff's Office: "It's not a strong indication, but it is an indication."
After dark they started using the latest crime scene technology, ultraviolet and infrared light and special goggles that can see what the naked eye can't see. They pointed a laser down the hole. They scanned piles of dirt, hoping to see body parts that flouresce, or glow. They found many tiny glowing objects, but it will take lab work to show if they're of interest.
Charles Ilsley, Forensic Investigator: "Curious, not confident because a lot of different things flouresce."
