Advanced DNA Testing Leads to Suspect's Arrest, 31 Years After Man's Fatal Stabbing

Detectives have arrested a suspect using advanced DNA testing

June 12, 2017

Thirty-one years after a man's fatal stabbing in Lemon Grove, homicide detectives have arrested a suspect using advanced DNA testing, San Diego County Sheriff's deputies (SDSO) announced Monday.

Stacy Littleton, 52, of San Diego, has been charged with a single count of murder in the death of Cyrus Jefferson, deputies said. Littleton was already in custody at the San Diego Central Jail on unrelated charges at the time of his arrest.

On Oct. 11 in 1986, just before 7:30 a.m., deputies found the body of Jefferson in a field on the 2500 block of 69th Street in Lemon Grove, according to the SDSO. He had been stabbed to death.

The victim was 20-years-old at the time.

Deputies from the Lemon Grove Station were called to the scene and identified the victim as Jefferson, a San Diego resident.

An investigation was underway with the Sheriff's homicide detail team. At the time of the initial investigation back in 1986, Littleton was arrested on a murder charge, but he was later released.

In the following years, the case went unsolved

Deputies from the Lemon Grove Station were called to the scene and identified the victim as Jefferson, a San Diego resident.

An investigation was underway with the Sheriff's homicide detail team. At the time of the initial investigation back in 1986, Littleton was arrested on a murder charge, but he was later released.

In the following years, the case went unsolved. However, Sheriff's detectives recently relaunched the investigation into the case.

Detectives re-evaluated evidence found at the crime scene. Thanks to the advancement of DNA technology, detectives were able to link Littleton to the crime.

Deputies obtained a warrant and arrested Littleton shortly after.Littleton was being held for drug possession and drug paraphernalia possession, on a bail amount of $12,500. Now, with the murder charge, he is also being held on a $1 million bail.

Anyone with information related to this case can call Homicide Detail at (858)974-2321.