The Brianna Denison Case

Brianna Denison, a 19-year-old Santa Barbara City College student, who was home in Reno, Nevada, on winter break, went out partying with friends Saturday night Jan. 19, 2008 and then spent the night on their couch. When Denison's friends woke the next morning she had disappeared, leaving her clothes, cell phone and other personal items behind.

Recent Developments

Accused Rapist Requests Separate Trials
May 12, 2009
James Biela's attorneys said a single trial would cause unfair prejudice against him in the two rape cases.

Previous Developments

Death Penalty Sought in Brianna Denison Case
Jan. 8, 2009
The Nevada man charged with the rape and murder of 19-year-old college student Brianna Denison could face the death penalty if he is found guilty. Washoe County District Attorney Dick Gammick of Reno plans to ask for the death penalty against 27-year-old James Michael Biela at his trial next year.

Man Arrested in Brianna Denison Murder Case
Nov. 26, 2008
A 27-year-old Sparks, Nevada man has been arrested on suspicion of kidnapping, murder and sexual assault in the case of Brianna Denison. The arrest of James Michael Biela ends a 10-month investigation into the death of the 19-year-old college student to disappeared while sleeping on a friend's sofa in January.

New Reno Rapist Description Released
March 24, 2008
The Reno Police Department has released to the media an updated description and other information about the suspect in the Brianna Denison murder and at least two other sexual assaults in the area.

Reno Serial Rapist's DNA Not on File
March 14, 2008
While investigating the death of Brianna Denison, Washoe County Sheriff Mike Haley last month asked for public donations to help eliminate a backlog of nearly 3,000 DNA samples which had never been processed. Haley received almost $300,000 and processed the backlog of samples, but Denison's killer was not among them.

Autopsy Confirms Brianna Denison's Body Found
Feb. 15, 2008
An autopsy report confirmed that a body found in a field near a Reno business park was that of Brianna Denison, who has been missing since January 20. The autopsy also confirmed the 19-year-old had been strangled and sexually assaulted by someone police believe is a serial rapist.

Police Hope Suspect's Description Will Draw Tips
Jan 31, 2008
Investigators in the disappearance of 19-year-old Brianna Denison from a friend's home in Reno, Nevada, have released a more detailed description of the suspect in the case, whose DNA has been linked to other attacks in the area. Authorities hope the new details will prompt someone who knows the suspect to give them a call.

Student's Disappearance Linked to Prior Assault
Jan. 28, 2008
DNA evidence found at the scene of a 19-year-old student's disappearance in Reno, Nevada on Jan. 20 has been linked to a sexual assault of another student a few blocks away on Dec. 16. Police are seeking a while male in his 30s in connection with the disappearance of Brianna Denison and the earlier attack.

Police Puzzled Over Missing Reno Student
Jan. 20, 2008
A Santa Barbara City College student, who was home in Reno, Nevada, on winter break, went out partying with friends Saturday night and then spent the night on their couch. When Brianna Denison's friends woke the next morning she had disappeared, leaving her personal items behind.