Chip Chick
A few months later in June of 2020, Detective Bishop was informed that there was a potential match in CODIS to the DNA found under Christine’s fingernails.
42-year-old James Watkins was the match to the DNA, and he was already behind bars for committing a robbery in Texas.
Facebook; pictured above are comments from locals left on a post announcing the identity of Christine’s killer
“Detectives immediately went to work reviewing Watkin’s history and whereabouts, before, during, and after the murder of Christine Munro,” the Redding Police Department said in a statement.
“They learned that Watkins moved to Redding from Texas in early 1995 at the age of 17 to live with his aunt and uncle.”
“During his short time in Redding, he was contacted by Redding Police eight times over the two year period.”
“Those contacts included an arrest for shoplifting, a warrant arrest, and an unlawful camping citation. In the fall of 1997, Watkins moved back to Texas. While living in Texas, he was arrested, charged, and convicted of multiple crimes to include sexual assault, burglary, escape, and bank robbery. He has spent a significant portion of his life in prison.”
Detectives then got on a plane to head to Texas and interview James. Additionally, they obtained a warrant for his DNA and surprise, it matched the DNA found beneath Christine’s fingernails.
Redding Police Department; pictured above is Christine in her nurse’s uniform
