NISKAYUNA, NY (WRGB) — A Niskayuna man was sentenced to 70 years behind bars for a 1994 cold case killing in Fairfax Vounty, Virginia.

Stephan Smerk , 53, was sentenced Friday in the Commonwealth of Virginia for killing Robin Warr Lawrence.

In 1994, Smerk was an Army soldier at what is now the Joint Base Myer Henderson Hall in Arlington, VA. According to the Commonwealth Attorney Steve Descano, Smirk left base with the intention of killing someone; though he didn’t know who, according to his confession video.

Smirk broke into the home of 37-year-old Robin Lawerence, whom he didn’t know. Smirk stabbed Lawrence 49 times while her then 2-year-old daughter was in the home.

Blood samples were collected at the scene, and the case remained cold for nearly three decades.

POlice were able to trace DNA samples back to Smerk through forensic genealogy methods.

Police approached Smerk at his Niskayuna home in September 2023, asking for a DNA sample. Several hours later, he turned himself in and confessed to the crime. On October 4, 2024, Smerk pled guilty to first-degree murder.