DNA May Link Philadelphia Man Accused of Slashing People on Trail to Cold-Case Killing, Police Say

DNA May Link Philadelphia Man Accused of Slashing People on Trail to Cold-Case Killing, Police Say
Images of suspect Elias Diaz are projected on a screen between Interim Police Commissioner John Stanford, Jr. (L), and District Attorney Larry (R) during a news conference in Philadelphia on Dec. 19, 2023. Matt Rourke/AP Photo
The Associated Press
Updated:
0:00

PHILADELPHIA—Authorities say a man accused of slashing people with a large knife while riding a bicycle on a trail in Philadelphia in recent weeks is now a person of interest in the cold-case slaying of a medical student that occurred among a series of high-profile sexual assaults in a large city park two decades ago.

Elias Diaz, 46, is charged with aggravated assault and other counts in the attacks or attempted attacks in late November and early December, where police say he used a machete-type knife against people on the Pennypack Park Trail in northeast Philadelphia.