Great Lakes Wire

Jason Cabello, 47, of Saginaw, will stand trial in Saginaw County’s 10th Circuit Court for the alleged 2003 murder and sexual assault of Jeanette Wilton. The announcement was made by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel. Cabello faces charges including First-Degree Premeditated Murder, Felony Murder, and First-Degree Criminal Sexual Conduct. Each charge carries a possible life sentence.

Wilton, who was 57 at the time of her death, was found dead in the Flint River near her home on February 22, 2003. An autopsy determined she died from strangulation and multiple stab wounds to the neck. She also suffered blunt force trauma to her head and face, contusions, and postmortem abrasions.

Cabello had previously been involved with a relative of Wilton but was not otherwise known to have a connection to her. He became linked to the case earlier this year after new DNA evidence analysis. The Michigan State Police (MSP) Third District Cold Case Team reopened the investigation in 2021 to take advantage of advancements in DNA testing technology. Working with Western Michigan University's Cold Case program and the MSP laboratory, investigators used a cold case grant to fund reexamination of evidence at a private lab. This led to new leads that prompted MSP to refer the case to the Department of Attorney General for potential charges in September 2024.

Anyone who believes they may have been assaulted by Jason Cabello is encouraged to contact MSP Detective Sergeant Bill Arndt at 989-615-6257 or via email.

“For more than a decade, Jeanette’s loved ones have lived without answers, but with these charges, we are now one step closer to delivering long-awaited justice,” said Nessel when announcing the charges. “I want to thank the Michigan State Police, whose incredible efforts made this breakthrough possible. Their work proves that no case is too cold to be solved, and no victim is forgotten."

“I want to thank our Third District Cold Case Team and partners at the Michigan Department of Attorney General for renewing investigative efforts in recent years,” said Col. James F. Grady II, director of the Michigan State Police, when charges were announced. “Our MSP forensic scientists are doing remarkable work and played a very important role in reexamining decades old evidence to ensure the next steps could be taken with a private laboratory. I hope Jeanette’s family finds comfort knowing we never gave up.”

A pre-trial date has not yet been scheduled.

Authorities remind that criminal charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.