Police turn to genetic genealogy to find suspect in cold case beach stabbing
Dante Ulanday - News Moderator 
Police have arrested a 50-year-old man on suspicion of murder in the cold-case stabbing of another man in Pacific Beach 32 years ago.
Detectives with the San Diego Police Department’s Cold Case Unit arrested Jeffry Scott Brandenburg, in Santa Cruz, his hometown, on Thursday in connection with the slaying of Clive Bland, 40, acting Lt. Chris Leahy said.
Bland was found dead early on the morning of Jan. 2, 1994, in front of a home in the 700 block of Tourmaline Street. Detectives determined that the Clairemont resident had been fatally assaulted on the beach near Tourmaline Surf Park.
“Despite extensive investigative efforts at the time, the case eventually became cold,” Leahy said.
Eventually, investigators identified Brandenburg as Bland’s alleged killer via genetic genealogy and other advanced forensic techniques, according to police.
Santa Cruz police assisted with the arrest, while SDPD also worked closely with the FBI and District Attorney’s Office on the case. Authorities have disclosed no suspected motive for the stabbing.
Brandenburg is being held without bail at San Diego Central Jail pending arraignment, set for Monday.
