DNA leads to arrest in 1988 East Texas death, body in river

PORT ARTHUR, Texas – Investigators say DNA evidence has led to the arrest of a convicted sex offender suspected in the 1988 death of a Southeast Texas woman whose body was found in a river.

Prosecutors on Tuesday announced that 60-year-old Daniel Andrew MacGinnis of Tyler County is charged with murder in the death of Patricia Ann Jacobs. KFDM-TV reports MacGinnis, whose bond was $1 million, declined comment when leaving court.

Jacobs in October 1988 failed to return home from a meeting at a tavern. Her body was discovered in the Neches (NAY’-chez) River in Port Arthur. A medical examiner determined she incurred head trauma and drowned.

Authorities say DNA testing not available at the time of Jacobs’ death led to MacGinnis’ charge.

Investigators found no prior contact between Jacobs and MacGinnis.