New technology may lead to breakthrough in 1994 murder of Castro Valley teen Jenny Lin, sheriff says

ByAnser Hassan KGO logo
Monday, June 20, 2022
Sheriff hints at possible break in 1994 murder of Jenny Lin at vigil
Jenny Lin was murdered in her home in Castro Valley in 1994; her case unsolved. But new DNA technology may help find her murderer, a sheriff says.

CASTRO VALLEY, Calif. (KGO) -- It has been 28 years since Jenny Lin was murdered in her home in Castro Valley. The family continues the search for the killer.

A vigil and march was held Friday night in Castro Valley in her honor.

"We think about her and we ask ourselves, 'Is this what Jenny would want us to do?' And that's what keeps us going," explains Mei-Lian Lin, Jenny's mother.

In 1994, then 14-year-old Jenny Lin was murdered in their house in Castro Valley. Jenny's father found her dead body in the bathroom. But no one has found the killer.

RELATED: Who killed Jenny Lin? Castro Valley teen remembered 25 years after her murder

It's been 25 years since an East Bay teenager was murdered in her own home. The horrific crime still remains unsolved.

"We are still pretty frustrated that after all these years, the case is still not solved. However, we are encouraged," says John Lin, Jenny's father.

Encouraged because new technology may have led to a breakthrough in the case, says Alameda County Sheriff Greg Ahern.

Sheriff Ahern says all the evidence has been reexamined with new DNA technology, which allows them to extract new cells, and has given them new leads.

RELATED: Concert held to remember Castro Valley girl murdered 20 years ago

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the murder of 14-year-old Jenny Lin of Castro Valley and there will be a community concert held in her honor.

"We have a couple of possibilities that we are holding close to our vest. We want to make sure we don't disclose too much to a potential suspect," says Sheriff Ahern.

Ahern says Sebastian Shaw was once considered the prime suspect, but was later ruled out. Shaw died last year in prison while serving three life sentences for murder.

Jenny's parents they couldn't do this without community support.

Mei-Lian says it has been hard as a mother over all these years, but adds this is a parent's commitment to justice and to their daughter.

"It is very hard, but we have learned how to manage it," says Mei-Lian. "We know it's sad. But we also know that we need to find justice for Jenny."

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