Saliva on Envelope in Yosemite Case Not Stayner’s, Test Finds

MODESTO —  Investigators probing the murders of four women in and around Yosemite National Park put out a call Wednesday for anyone with knowledge of a mysterious saliva “donation” to suspect Cary Stayner.

FBI spokesman Nick Rossi said a DNA analysis of an envelope containing an anonymous letter directing police to one of the bodies has revealed traces of saliva from someone other than the 38-year-old handyman.

“Investigators believe Stayner may have tricked an unsuspecting male into providing the saliva, which Stayner then used to seal the envelope,” Rossi said in a prepared statement. “We are hoping that man or boy will come forward now.”

Stayner is charged with the July 21 murder of Joie Armstrong, a Yosemite naturalist who was beheaded near her home in the park. Stayner has pleaded not guilty.

Investigators also have identified Stayner as a suspect in the killings of Carole Sund, 42, her daughter, Juliana Sund, 15, and Silvina Pelosso, 16, a family friend from Argentina. The three disappeared while visiting the park in February.

The bodies of Carole Sund and Pelosso were found in their burned-out rental car, but Juliana Sund was missing until the anonymous letter led authorities to a lake where her body was found.