Authorities have made significant strides in solving multiple cold case rape cases across several states, linking a deceased Navy diver, Sean Patrick McNulty, to decades-old sexual assaults in California, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio. Investigations led by Columbus police have resulted in the identification of McNulty as a suspect in a range of serial rapes, including a 1997 case that remained unsolved for nearly 30 years. The evidence includes DNA technology that has played a crucial role in connecting McNulty to various incidents, with concerns raised that he may have more unidentified victims. The joint efforts of cold case teams and advancements in forensic science have brought much-awaited answers to some victims, while also raising awareness about the potential for further linked cases nationwide.