Detectives from the Los Angeles Police Department’s Robbery-Homicide Division, Homicide Special Section Cold Case Unit have arrested a 51-year-old suspect for an unsolved 1982 sexual assault and murder

Police have been investigating the murder of 40-year-old Los Angeles resident Vivian Johnson for more than 31 years. The victim was strangled to death on Nov. 29, 1982 inside her residence in the 3900 block of Welland Ave., located south of Rodeo Road and between Arlington Avenue and Crenshaw Boulevard in South Los Angeles. The motive for the murder remains unknown.

Investigators linked suspect James Robert Scott to the murder after DNA evidence that was discovered at the crime scene was matched to Scott. It was later discovered that Scott was in custody serving time for an unrelated murder at San Quentin State Prison.

On July 1, detectives obtained an arrest warrant for Scott for the murder of Johnson. He was served with the warrant while still in the custody of the California Department of Corrections. Detectives are making arrangements to have Scott transported to Los Angeles, where he is scheduled to be arraigned on July 24.

Anyone with information about the crime is urged to contact LAPD Robbery-Homicide Division detectives Martin Mojarro or Jeffrey Allen at (213)486-6810. During weekends and off hours, call the LAPD’s 124-hour hotline at (877)LAPD247.