DNA Advances Lead to Arrest in ’94 Slaying

Police said they had evidence and a suspect in a 1994 slaying--they just needed to wait for technology to catch up so they could link the two.

On Friday, detectives arrested May Kwan Turek, 41, of Torrance after DNA tests showed that blood in her car matched that of a slain 30-year-old woman, the suspect’s alleged rival in a love triangle, Police Lt. Ron Smith said.

Roxanne Martin was found shot to death in August 1994 in the home of her boyfriend, Tony Kubis, where she was dog-sitting while he vacationed in Maine, Smith said. Kubis had broken off a relationship with Turek, he said.

When officers found out about the broken relationship, they questioned Turek and searched her home and car. But the traces of blood found on the floor mat and glove compartment of her 1987 Nissan Maxima were too small to be useful for DNA testing--until this year, Smith said. The lack of homicides so far this year allowed Costa Mesa detectives to revisit the case, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Forensic Science Lab was able to use newer procedures and determine the blood in the car matched that of the victim, Smith said.

“There would have been no legitimate reason Roxanne or her blood would ever be in May Turek’s car,” he said.

In addition, neighbors saw an unidentified woman leaving Kubis’ home the night of the killing, Smith said. A 9mm pistol--the same caliber used to kill Martin--was missing from the home Turek shared with her estranged husband, a Hermosa Beach police officer, Smith said. He is under no suspicion in the killing, Smith said.

“We had some pieces of the puzzle, but they didn’t fit together until we got the DNA,” he said. “It’s circumstantial, but we feel it’s pretty strong.”

Turek is being held at the Central Women’s Jail in lieu of $750,000 bail. Her arraignment is scheduled for Oct. 1.