DNA phenotyping provides 'snapshot' of man sought in 2001 Aventura killing

Police hope new technology will help find Irving Sicherer's killer

AVENTURA, Fla. – Police in Aventura have used DNA phenotyping to release a "snapshot" of a person of interest in the only unsolved murder investigation in the history of the city.

Irving Sicherer was found dead July 25, 2001, at the Waterview condominium. The 76-year-old man was beaten to death inside unit 1642.

Now, 16 years after Sicherer's death, police are using modern technology in the hopes of helping them solve the crime.

Aventura police on Tuesday held a news conference in which they released new composite recreations of a man who is believed to be the last person to see Sicherer alive.

This "snapshot" provides a modern-day recreation of how the person of interest in Irving Sicherer's death may look.

Surveillance video from July 23, 2001, showed Sicherer and an unidentified man enter a Publix. Another surveillance video showed the same man walking into Sicherer's condo with him.

Despite fingerprint and DNA evidence, police have yet to make an arrest.

Through the use of forensic DNA analysis, police were able to recreate what the person of interest may look like today. The detailed composite profile includes eye, skin and hair color, face morphology and biogeographic ancestry.

"The progression in technology has really advanced, so we were able to do something like this," Detective Tom Mundy said.

Anyone who recognizes the man is asked to contact Aventura police.


About the Authors:

Peter Burke returned for a second stint of duty at Local 10 News in February 2014.