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Nevada Man, 59, Nabbed For 1985 Murder Of Model In Long Beach

LOS ANGELES (AP) —  Authorities say a 59-year-old Nevada man has been arrested in the stabbing death of an aspiring model from Long Beach over 25 years ago.

Los Angeles County sheriff's Capt. Mike Parker said Wednesday that Stafford Joel Spicer was detained on a warrant in Las Vegas on suspicion of killing 23-year-old Joanne Marie Jones. Her body was discovered by hikers in a remote area of Azusa Canyon on June 8, 1985.

Spicer was arrested several days after the killing after being spotted driving Jones' car. There was insufficient evidence to pursue murder charges and he was released.

Cold case detectives reopened the case in 2009. They uncovered DNA evidence and presented it to prosecutors, who charged Spicer.

Spicer is awaiting extradition to California.

(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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