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Written by: A. Smith
Published February 12, 2025 @ 1:23 PM ET
JACKSON COUNTY, Ga. – A suspect has been arrested in connection with the 2003 murder of 88-year-old Edna Schubert, whose case remained unsolved for more than two decades. Raul Ayala, 51, was charged with the murder after DNA evidence found at the crime scene was matched to evidence collected from his home in Georgia.
Schubert, a widow who lived alone, was found beaten to death in her bedroom at her Long Island home on December 12, 2003. Investigators collected blood evidence and a blurry fingerprint from the crime scene, but at the time, technology was insufficient to identify a suspect. The case went cold for years.
In 2023, a Suffolk County detective reopened the case and used new technology to match the blurry fingerprint found at the scene to Ayala. At the time of the murder, Ayala was living less than 200 yards from Schubert’s home.
During the investigation, police discovered that Ayala had moved to Talmo, Georgia. In August 2024 police began surveillance on Ayala, Detectives collected items, including lottery scratch-off cards and plastic bottles, from Ayala’s property. Testing of a Gatorade bottle found at his home revealed DNA that matched DNA found on the victim’s clothing.
Ayala was arrested on January 16, 2025, and charged with one count of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder. He pleaded not guilty during his court appearance on February 9, 2025.
If convicted, Ayala faces life in prison without the possibility of parole.
His next court date is scheduled for March 5, 2025.