65-year-old alleged serial killer charged in 1992 California cold case murder
San Francisco authorities say the investigation into Ricky Dawson remains active as DNA evidence connects him to multiple sexual assaults
A 65-year-old man already serving a life sentence for murder has been charged in connection with a decades-old California cold case after DNA evidence allegedly linked him to the crime.
Ricky Dawson was charged with the 1992 murder and sexual assault of Nancy Hernandez, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins announced on Wednesday, July 22.
Authorities identified Hernandez, 45, in January 2025 after investigators reopened the case.
According to the San Francisco Police Department, officers responded on May 2, 1992, to Hang Ah Alley, where they found Hernandez’s body inside a utility corridor.
Hernandez, who was unhoused and had been using the alley as shelter, was found to have suffered blunt force injuries, strangulation and sexual assault, according to investigators.
The case remained unsolved for more than three decades until the San Francisco Police Department’s Homicide Cold Case Unit reopened the investigation in October 2023 and compared evidence with DNA profiles in the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS).
Investigators later connected Dawson’s DNA to the case, leading authorities to issue an arrest warrant in January 2025.
“No matter how old a case is, this is proof that we will never rest until a case is solved,” San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott said in a statement.
“I want to thank our homicide and cold case investigators who have worked diligently on this case to bring justice to Ms. Hernandez and her family.”
Authorities said Dawson has also been linked to multiple other sexual assault homicide investigations across the country, including cases in Panama City Beach, Florida; Seattle, Washington; and Denver, Colorado.
Dawson is already serving a life sentence in Colorado for the 1996 sexual assault and strangulation murder of Terri Turachak.
Investigators have also connected his DNA to the 2000 cold case death of Seattle woman Debbie Cashio, though he has not been charged in that case.
According to the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office, Dawson was arraigned on July 20 and pleaded not guilty to the charges. He has also denied the allegations.
The case remains an active investigation. Dawson is scheduled to return to court on July 30 for a preliminary hearing.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the investigation to contact the San Francisco Police Department’s Tip Line. Callers can provide information anonymously.
