Scottsdale Police: Man denied involvement in killing, but linked by DNA

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP/KSAZ) - Scottsdale police say a 42-year-old Phoenix man arrested in the 2015 homicide of a Scottsdale woman in her home has denied involvement in the crime but was linked to the killing through DNA evidence.

Ian Mitcham appeared in court Wednesday and remains jailed in lieu of $5 million bond on suspicion of first-degree murder and burglary in the killing of 31-year-old Allison Feldman. He was arrested at his workplace, which is a deli, near 7th Street and Glendale.

A police probable-cause statement says detectives identified Mitcham as a suspect because his brother's DNA is similar to a profile of DNA evidence found at Feldman's home and that Mitcham's own DNA then was found to match the crime-scene evidence.

Court records and prosecutors describe a gruesome and bloody murder scene. According to the Medical Examiner, Feldman died from asphyxiation and blunt force trauma, and was also sexually assaulted. According to the documents, the suspect tried to clean up the mess with bleach, but left some of his DNA behind.

According to police, Mitcham denied knowing Feldman or having been in her home. Investigators have not released a motive, and said they have not found a link between Feldman and Mitcham.

It's unknown whether Mitcham has an attorney who could comment on the allegations.