Suspect charged with murder in 35-year-old cold case

Police have charged a suspect with murder in connection to a 35-year-old cold case, according to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Marion Gales, 63, was arrested Thursday in connection to the 1990 murder of Kim Thomas.

Around 10:00 p.m. on July 27, 1990, police received a call from Edward Friedland who said that someone had killed his wife. Following an autopsy, the victim’s death was ruled a homicide.

On Feb. 17, detectives linked her death to Gales after receiving a DNA lab report that contained new information from analyzing existing evidence and using new technology, police said.

Gales was charged with first-degree murder. He remains in the custody of the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office.