Man in Washington receives sentence after gum trick solves old cases

Washington Man Sentenced for Cold Case Murders Linked to Chewing Gum

A man from Washington state has been sentenced to 50 years to life in prison after admitting to two murders tied to a cold case that was solved using chewing gum. Mitchell Gough, 74, received his sentence last week after pleading guilty to the murders of Susan Vesey, 21, and Judith “Judy” Weaver, 42, in Everett.

Investigators connected Gough to Weaver’s 1984 murder through a unique approach. An Everett police detective, posing as a researcher in the gum industry, visited Gough’s home and offered him free samples. Gough provided a sample, which was analyzed through the CODIS database, revealing a match to Weaver’s murder.

He was taken into custody in May 2024 and later implicated in Vesey’s murder as well. Investigators determined that Vesey was killed in her apartment on July 12, 1980, just one day after her 21st birthday.

During the court proceedings, Gough expressed remorse to the victims’ families, citing his struggles with drugs and alcohol as factors contributing to his violent past. “I’m sorry not because I was caught, but because of the consequences,” he stated, adding that no one deserved to have him in their lives.

Jacqueline O’Brien, a former law enforcement officer, shared her experience of surviving an attack by Gough in 1979, emphasizing how she escaped and helped authorities identify him. She reflected on how her trauma from that incident still feels fresh after nearly five decades.

Vesey’s son, Joshua, recounted being just three months old when his mother was murdered. He delivered a poignant statement in court, noting that his family would never recover from the loss of their mother’s love. Similarly, Weaver’s brother, Leon, spoke about the long-lasting impact of the case on their family, as many members passed away without knowing what happened to Judy.

In deciding Gough’s sentence, the judge cited his violent history and pointed out the families’ long wait for justice as key factors. “The defendant’s history includes extremely violent crimes against women that were sexually motivated,” the judge remarked, reinforcing the severity of the sentence.