NORTH AURORA, Ill. (AP) — DNA found on the clothing of a suburban Chicago woman who was kidnapped and killed 45 years ago matched the DNA of a suspected serial killer who died two years later, authorities said Wednesday.

Bruce Lindahl’s DNA It is believed that he killed About a dozen women and girls have been confirmed in Kathy Halle’s clothing, authorities said.

Authorities believe Halle was abducted after leaving a North Aurora apartment complex in March 1979. Her body was found weeks later in the Fox River about 40 miles (64 kilometers) west of Chicago, North Aurora police Detective Ryan Peat said at a news conference.

In 1981, Lindahl was found dead in an apartment in Naperville, a western suburb of Chicago. Police said the man accidentally severed a major artery in his own leg and bled to death while fatally stabbing an 18-year-old man in his home. Numerous photographs of naked women were later discovered in Lindahl’s apartment. His remains were exhumed for DNA testing in 2019.

In 2020, authorities determined that Lindahl’s DNA 1976 strangulation 16-year-old Pamela Maurer, whose body was found by a motorist on the side of the road in the village of Lisle.

Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie Mosser told reporters Wednesday that prosecutors in the Halle case determined “the science is good, it shows that the DNA found on Kathy’s clothing belongs to Bruce Lindahl.”

“Therefore, had he not killed himself in the course of a homicide, we would have authorized first-degree murder charges against Bruce Lindahl and would have proceeded to trial on that count,” Mosser continued.

Halle’s family said in a statement that it was difficult to re-examine the case, but they were grateful to have closure after 45 years.

“Thanks to advances in DNA technology and groundbreaking research tools, we are hopeful that other families will not have to endure the same pain and uncertainty we have faced for years,” the family said. “We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the North Aurora Police Department and all involved agencies and organizations for their dedication, persistence, and never giving up, even when the circumstances seem impossible.”

Lindahl was a suspect when he died. 1980 Rape and kidnapping of Debra Colliander. Authorities believed Lindahl kidnapped the woman from a suburban shopping mall and raped her at her Aurora home before she ran away and called police from her neighbor’s house.

He was charged and released from jail after being granted bail. Colliander’s disappearance days before he was due to testify at his trial forced prosecutors to drop the charges in 1981.

In 1982, a few months after Lindahl’s death, Colliander’s body was found in a shallow grave by a farmer. It was not determined how he died as a result of the autopsy, but his death was ruled a murder.