Springfield, Mass. — Nearly 35 years after the tragic murder of Shana Renee Price, efforts continue to bring justice to the case of the 17-year-old, whose life was cut short. While she would have celebrated her 52nd birthday this year, Price remains a cherished memory for her family and a haunting reminder of unresolved violence in the community.
Price, who lived with her grandmother and was an active member of the local church and youth club, was found strangled in Blunt Park in 1990. Her family has worked tirelessly to keep her memory alive, and their ongoing efforts are closely tied to a dedicated initiative by the Hampden District Attorney’s office. The DA’s Unresolved and Unidentified Case Investigation Unit has undertaken the significant task of seeking justice for unsolved homicides, including Price’s.
This Sunday, a special event at the MassMutual Center aims to gather DNA samples from the community. Participants at the Springfield United Toy Drive & Holiday Celebration will have the opportunity to contribute cheek swabs, which will be analyzed and added to a database for forensic genetic genealogy. This approach aims to uncover potential leads by identifying distant relatives of Price’s killer.
“The success of these investigations has a lot to do with community involvement,” said Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni. He expressed optimism that the DNA collection might yield dozens of new samples to enhance the existing database.
This initiative marks the second time this year that the DA’s office has organized a community engagement event seeking to build this crucial database. Those who provide a sample will receive insights about their genetic ancestry and extended family connections in return. Past collections have shown promising results, but investigators continue to push for more contributions from the public.
Years ago, a rendering of a potential suspect was developed using advanced phenotyping techniques based on the DNA evidence collected from Price’s case. Although this sketch provided some leads, it has not yet resulted in the identification of a suspect. Results from international DNA databases previously uploaded in 2003 have similarly failed to yield any solid leads.
“When we released the sketch, it was a bittersweet moment for Shana’s family,” Gulluni noted. “They are still clinging to hope, and we are striving to bring them closure after decades without answers.”
Shana’s family has remained prominent in their quest for justice. Three years ago, during a press conference announcing the suspect sketch, her sister Laquana spoke about the prolonged agony of searching for closure. She stressed that the public’s involvement is crucial in bringing the case to a resolution.
Following her death, the investigation revealed a troubling hint. About a month before Shana was murdered, she reported a life-threatening encounter to police, detailing an experience in which she escaped from a threatening man. This connection, however, did not lead to any significant breakthroughs.
The current investigative team includes state police troopers and assistant district attorneys dedicated to unsolved cases. “It’s essential for families to have a reliable contact throughout this prolonged process,” Gulluni said. “Our commitment to these cases reflects our dedication to the community and the victims.”
Community members with any information regarding Shana Price’s case are encouraged to reach out to the Springfield Police Detective Bureau or utilize text reporting services to submit tips anonymously. The hope remains that with continuous outreach and public participation, a long-awaited resolution may finally emerge.