Police: 2017 Rape Suspect Tied To Two Cold Case Rapes By DNA

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On June 18, 2018, the Wilmington Police Department charged 39-year-old Kili Mayfield with rape, strangulation, and assault, according to police.

Officials said that these charges stem from the investigation of a sexual assault that occurred in April 2017 in the City of Wilmington. During the course of the investigation, DNA evidence was collected and submitted for scientific testing and analysis. As a result of the testing, Mayfield was developed as a suspect, according to police.

On July 26, 2018, the Wilmington Police Department charged Mayfield with the 2010 and 2014 rapes of two additional women that also occurred in the City of Wilmington. On July 30, 2018, Mayfield was indicted by a New Castle County Grand Jury on charges related to all three sexual assaults.

These are the first arrests and indictments as part of a broader effort in Delaware to test previously untested sexual assault evidence kits, and thereby bring justice to victims, identify offenders, and help solve cold cases, according to police. With the combined assistance of the US Department of Justice Sexual Assault Kit Initiative (SAKI), the Delaware Attorney General’s Office, the Delaware Criminal Justice Council, and a dedicated working group, the Wilmington Police Department was able to connect Mayfield to the two additional sexual assaults from 2010 and 2014.

Officials said, “While we cannot speak to the facts of the individual cases, we are grateful for the resources provided through the Delaware Criminal Justice Council that allowed us to leave no stone unturned in these cases.”

Those who have ever had a sexual assault kit collected and would like more information about those kits should please contact the Delaware Victim’s Center at 1-800-VICTIM1 (1800-842-8461) or visit the Delaware SAKI website at cjc.delaware.gov.

All victims of Sexual Assault can receive support and information by calling the following Rape Crisis Hotlines 24/7: New Castle and Sussex Count YWCA SARC 1-800-733-5870, Kent and Sussex County call the Contact Lifeline Rape Crisis at 1-800-262-9800.

Court records indicate mayfield that is being held in Howard R. Young Correctional Institution in Wilmigton.

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First State Update's Delaware editorial team covers New Castle County, Kent County and Sussex County breaking news, political news, and general news stories. We bring the reader the latest news from the Wilmington, Newark, Dover, Rehoboth Beach and all point in between. If you have news to share, email us at [email protected].

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