Decades-Old Mystery Solved: Arrest Made in 1987 Flagstaff Murder
In a significant breakthrough, authorities in northern Arizona have apprehended a suspect in a cold case that has puzzled investigators for nearly forty years. The arrest of James Arthur Runnels Jr., aged 62, marks a pivotal moment in the investigation of the 1987 murder of a young student in Flagstaff.
The victim, Ina Claire Langstaff, a 24-year-old student at Northern Arizona University, was discovered dead in November 1987 near her residence on Tucson Avenue in the Old Town neighborhood of Flagstaff. Despite extensive investigations at the time, the case remained unsolved for decades.
Flagstaff Police, in collaboration with the Coconino County Attorney’s Office, have now charged Runnels with first-degree murder following a grand jury indictment on March 19. This comes after years of persistent efforts involving numerous interviews and continuous evidence analysis.
“Ina’s family has waited nearly four decades for answers,” stated Coconino County Attorney Ammon Barker. “Our office, in partnership with the Flagstaff Police Department, has worked diligently to follow the evidence and take this important step toward justice for Ms. Langstaff, her family and our community.”
In 2025, authorities submitted several items for advanced forensic DNA testing at the Department of Public Safety’s Northern Regional Crime Laboratory. The results reportedly connected Runnels to the crime scene, leading to his arrest. At the time of the murder, Runnels was residing in Flagstaff, although he was living in Glendale when he was detained.
Details regarding Runnels’ arraignment have yet to be disclosed by officials. Meanwhile, law enforcement encourages anyone with information related to the case to contact the police department or Silent Witness at (928) 774-6111.
In other news, the Gila County Sheriff’s Office reported the drowning of a 25-year-old man at the Fossil Creek Lower Waterfalls over the weekend.
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