DNA Testing Solves Case Of Sexually Assaulted, Strangled Woman In 1998

CHEVERLY, MD — The suspect wanted in a 27-year-old homicide case has been identified thanks to investigative genetic genealogy.

On Jan. 13, 1998, Sheryl Crandell was found dead in her office at Prince George's Hospital Center in Cheverly. A maintenance employee stumbled upon the 50-year-old woman around 8:30 p.m., according to the Prince George's Police Department.

An autopsy determined that Crandell's cause of death was strangulation. She also had been sexually assaulted. Despite carrying out an extensive investigation at the time, detectives did not have enough information to make any arrests, the police department stated.

PGPD Cold Case Unit detectives sought and obtained court authorization to start investigative genetic genealogy in the case in December of 2021. FBI Baltimore’s Investigative Genetic Genealogy Team was able to identify the suspect in late October of 2025.

The suspect was identified as Baari Shabazz. He died in 2019 at the age of 69, the police department stated.

At this time, there is no known connection between Crandell and Shabazz, and the motive for the murder is unknown. He did live approximately one mile from the hospital back in 1998, the police department stated.

If anyone has information relevant to the investigation and would like to speak to a detective, they are asked to call 301-516-2512, contact Crime Solvers online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, the “P3 Tips” mobile app (search “P3 Tips” in the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app onto a mobile device) or call 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).