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Killer’s chewing gum blows open 40-year-old murders, detective warns there may be more victims
DNA evidence gathered from chewing gum helped link Mitchell Gaff to the 1984 murders of Judith “Judy” Weaver and Susan Vesey, crimes to which he pleaded guilty in April 2026. His history of sexual violence and his release from civil commitment in 2018 have prompted questions about whether he may have harmed other victims.
Weaver was found bound, sexually assaulted and strangled in Everett in June 1984; Vesey was found beaten and bound at home on her 21st birthday. Gaff was arrested in May 2024 after a detective obtained his DNA from discarded gum, and was sentenced to 50 years to life in May 2026. Court records say he admitted to six rapes during psychological evaluations, and that he had previously been convicted of assault and rape.
In short
- Chewing gum DNA linked Gaff to two 1984 murders.
- He was sentenced to 50 years to life.
- His history has raised questions about possible other victims.
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The case for
The possibility of further victims merits careful investigation: Gaff’s admissions of other rapes and history of sexual violence give detectives reason to review unsolved cases and seek evidence that could bring answers to victims’ families. A thorough inquiry could also help establish whether anyone else is at risk and ensure that conclusions rest on verifiable evidence.
The case against
Investigators should avoid treating Gaff’s past offences or statements made during psychological evaluations as proof that he committed additional crimes. Unfounded suspicion can harm people connected to unresolved cases and divert resources; any further allegations should be pursued with care, respect for due process and corroborating evidence.
Explained simply
Judith “Judy” Weaver and Susan Vesey were murdered in Everett in 1984. Both women had been bound and sexually assaulted; Vesey was 21. For decades, the cases remained unsolved.
Mitchell Gaff had a record of sexual violence, including convictions for assault and rape. He was arrested in 2024 after DNA from discarded chewing gum linked him to the murders, and later pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to 50 years to life.
Gaff was released from civil commitment in 2018, and records say he admitted to six rapes during psychological evaluations. Detectives have raised the possibility of other victims, though the information provided does not establish that he committed further crimes.