Allison Feldman, 31, Dies in Scottsdale Murder as Investigators Pursue Unknown DNA

 Allison Feldman, 31, of Scottsdale, Arizona, was found murdered inside her home in February 2015. Feldman had returned home after running errands on Tuesday, February 17. When she remained unreachable later that evening and into the following day, her father, Harley Feldman, contacted Scottsdale Police for a welfare check. Before officers arrived, Feldman’s boyfriend, Alex Stone, went to the residence on February 18 and found her unresponsive on the floor. He called 911, according to the account presented to ABC’s 20/20.

Investigators determined that Feldman had suffered blunt force injuries and strangulation. Evidence at the residence indicated that a struggle had likely taken place before her death. Investigators also recovered DNA believed to belong to an unidentified male who was not in police records. Authorities said someone appeared to have attempted to destroy evidence with chemicals, possibly bleach. The evidence left investigators without an immediate identification of the unknown DNA contributor.

Feldman’s boyfriend was initially considered a person of interest. Investigators later cleared Stone after his DNA did not match the evidence recovered from the scene and authorities found no indications that he had participated in the struggle. The investigation continued with attention focused on identifying the unknown male whose DNA had been recovered. Identifying that contributor became central to determining who was responsible and providing answers to her family.

Before her death, Feldman had built a life centered on professional work and service to others. She was originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and attended the University of Arizona in Tucson. After graduating, she remained in Arizona and developed a career in medical sales, specializing in products related to wound and burn care. Her career connected her to patients and treatment, while her volunteer work gave her another way to support people facing serious injuries. She remained in Arizona after college and built her professional life there.

Feldman also volunteered at Camp Courage, where she worked with children who had suffered burn injuries. Family members, friends and colleagues remembered her as compassionate, joyful, accepting and active in her community. For the people who knew her, those qualities became an important part of how she was remembered after her death. Her compassion was remembered as part of the legacy she left among people who knew her.

Her father remained determined to find answers as investigators continued examining the evidence and searching for a way to identify the unknown DNA contributor. Eventually, authorities turned to familial DNA technology, a forensic approach that can help identify potential family connections from genetic evidence when a direct match is unavailable. The approach gave investigators a possible path toward establishing the identity of the person connected to the DNA evidence. The effort reflected the importance of forensic evidence in the investigation of Feldman’s death.

Feldman’s case and the investigation that followed have since been examined by ABC’s 20/20 in an episode titled “Home Alone.” The case remains tied to the search for answers surrounding her death and the forensic work pursuing the unidentified DNA contributor. For her family, friends and colleagues, the investigation exists alongside memories of Feldman’s compassion, professional dedication and volunteer work. Her life, rather than only the circumstances of her death, remains an important part of the story as those who knew her continue to remember the 31-year-old Scottsdale woman whose future was cut short.