NBC's Dateline examines how preserved evidence and modern DNA testing connected a 1989 Cincinnati sexual assault to former physician Frederick Tanzer. The breakthrough followed persistent urging by the victim's daughter, Andra, and led to a 2024 conviction for making false statements after prosecutors could not charge Tanzer with rape due to the statute of limitations. Victim Dana Beatty continues to struggle with long-term trauma and has filed a civil suit while advocating for changes to time limits on sexual-assault prosecutions.
Dateline Revisits 1989 Cincinnati Sexual Assault Case Linked to Former Doctor
Dana Beatty's attacker, Frederick Tanzer, being interviewed by Dateline NBC correspondent Blayne Alexander in jail.
NBC's Dateline explores a decades-old Cincinnati cold case in which preserved evidence and new DNA technology finally linked a 1989 sexual assault to a former physician. The episode features interviews with the victim, Dana Beatty, her daughter, Andra, and Frederick Tanzer, the doctor whose DNA connected him to the attack.
What Happened
On an August day in 1989, Dana Beatty returned to her Columbia-Tusculum condominium and encountered an intruder who had been waiting inside. The assailant, dressed in a black full-body suit, gloves and a mask, threatened her with a knife, wrapped thick white tape around her head and eyes, and sexually assaulted her repeatedly over roughly five and a half hours. At the time, the attacker was married to Beatty's best friend; Beatty did not suspect him.
How the Case Was Solved
Andra Beatty being interviewed on Dateline NBC. Beatty is the daughter of Dana Beatty, who was brutally assaulted in her Cincinnati condominium in 1989. Andra Beatty gave her mother's cold case new life after reaching out to the Cincinnati Police Department.
Evidence from the 1989 assault was preserved. Decades later, advances in DNA analysis allowed investigators to develop a lead after Beatty's daughter, Andra, urged Cincinnati police in early 2024 to reopen the case. Investigators ultimately matched DNA from the preserved evidence to Frederick Tanzer using a DNA sample taken from a Starbucks cup he discarded years later.
Prosecution and Sentence
Because the statute of limitations for rape had expired in the mid-1990s, prosecutors could not bring rape charges. In 2024, federal authorities instead convicted Tanzer of making false statements to federal investigators and sentenced him to 15 years in prison.
Interviews and Reactions
Dateline correspondent Blayne Alexander interviewed Dana and Andra Beatty, Frederick Tanzer, investigators, and prosecutors for an NBC report.
Dateline correspondent Blayne Alexander interviewed Dana Beatty, Andra, and Tanzer (interviewed from prison). Tanzer described decades of remorse and told Alexander that a sexually explicit film he saw at 14 contributed to a lifelong fantasy he never shared with anyone. When asked why part of him wanted to be identified after so many years, Tanzer said, "I had nobody to talk to about it. And I knew I had done something very bad. And I'm so sorry."
"If this is not the most unbelievable act of love to your parents, to your mother, I'm speechless," Dana said of her daughter's persistence.
Aftermath
Dana Beatty continues to cope with long-term effects of the assault, including post-traumatic stress disorder, chronic insomnia, night terrors and panic attacks, and has been in therapy for decades. She has filed a civil suit against Tanzer and is advocating to change statutes of limitations that can block prosecution of decades-old sexual assaults.
Public Appeal
Federal officials and local investigators have asked anyone with information about Tanzer's movements or potential additional victims to call 800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324). Kevin Grasha, courts reporter for The Enquirer, contributed reporting to the story.
Help us improve.
