Dayton, Ohio – After more than 20 years, detectives with the Dayton Police Department Cold Case Unit have made an arrest in the long-unsolved murder of Lillie Oglesby, a case that has weighed heavily on investigators and the victim’s loved ones since 2004.
On January 28, 2026, detectives arrested a 36-year-old man in connection with Oglesby’s death. Authorities said the arrest came after years of continued investigative work, during which detectives refused to let the case go cold despite the passage of time.
According to police, investigators recently resubmitted key evidence for additional analysis, using updated forensic techniques that were not available when the case was first investigated. That renewed testing ultimately led to the identification of a suspect and the arrest earlier this week.
Police emphasized that the Cold Case Unit has remained dedicated to this investigation, carefully reviewing evidence, following up on leads, and exhausting every available option to move the case forward. Officials noted that advancements in technology and forensic science played a crucial role in reopening avenues that once appeared closed.
The suspect is currently being held at the Montgomery County Jail, where he remains in custody as the legal process continues. No additional details about the suspect or potential charges have been released at this time.
The arrest marks a major step toward accountability in a case that has remained unresolved for more than two decades and serves as a reminder that time does not erase the pursuit of justice.
