Authorities arrested 70-year-old Jesse James Lockley Jr. after DNA recovered from clothing worn by Arlene Hall, who was found strangled in her Dayton basement in 2003, was matched to him. Lockley was booked on murder charges on Sept. 15 and is being held on $1 million bond; a court appearance is set for Sept. 25. Investigators reopened the cold case in late 2025, and the Ohio BCI crime lab identified male DNA on Hall's clothing that matched Lockley in July 2026. Police say Lockley made "incriminating statements" after his arrest; he has prior convictions including a 2000 gross sexual imposition charge.
Cold-Case Break: DNA From 2003 Victim's Clothing Links Jesse James Lockley Jr. to Strangling
Jesse James Lockley Jr.Credit: Montgomery County Sheriff
Authorities say a DNA match from clothing worn by a woman found murdered in 2003 led to the arrest of a previously convicted sex offender in Dayton, Ohio.
Seventy-year-old Jesse James Lockley Jr. was taken into custody on Tuesday, Sept. 15, and booked on murder charges in connection with the death of Arlene Hall, the Dayton Police Department said in a news release posted to X. Online jail records list Lockley's bond at $1 million; he is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 25.
Case Timeline
Hall was last seen on March 19, 2003. Her son reported her missing on April 3, and detectives discovered her body in the basement of her Dayton home on April 21, 2003. The cause of death was ruled strangulation and the manner of death was homicide. The investigation went cold for years.
How the Case Was Reopened
Detectives reopened the file in December 2025 and submitted evidence for modern DNA testing. On July 10, 2026, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) crime laboratory notified Dayton police that male DNA had been detected on Hall's clothing. Later that month, BCI informed investigators that the DNA matched Jesse James Lockley Jr., the department said.
Arrest and Statements
After his arrest on Sept. 15, Lockley spoke with investigators and reportedly made what police described as "incriminating statements" regarding the homicide. Authorities emphasize that the investigation and any criminal proceedings are ongoing.
Suspect's Criminal History
Public records show Lockley is a registered sexually oriented offender listed as "Pre-AWA," a designation tied to a June 2000 conviction for gross sexual imposition. Records indicate he has also served time for offenses including attempted rape, aggravated robbery, robbery and felonious assault.
"This case is another example of the great work by the men and women in our Homicide and Cold Case Units, as well as their commitment to the never-ending pursuit of justice," Dayton Police Chief Eric Henderson said. He added that while an arrest cannot erase the family's grief, it may offer some measure of closure.
Note on Reporting: The charges against Lockley are allegations. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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