DNA match helps Calgary police lay charges in 2019 sexual assault

Police say a Calgary man has been charged in connection with a sexual assault in 2019 that left a woman with life-altering injuries.

Police have laid charges in connection with a 2019 sexual assault in southeast Calgary after DNA evidence helped identify a suspect.

On July 14, 2019, police were called to the 500 block of 44 Street S.E. for reports of a woman who was sexually assaulted by an unknown man.

When officers arrived on the scene, they found a woman with serious injuries. She was taken to hospital in critical condition and sustained life-altering injuries from the assault.

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Investigators collected several pieces of DNA, which were then submitted to the RCMP National DNA Data Bank.

Investigators were notified that a DNA match had been identified via the data bank in December 2024. Through DNA analysis, police identified a suspect.

The suspect was located and arrested in Calgary on Feb. 7, at a residence in the 2300 block of 162 Avenue S.W.

As a result, Kepra Udup Bang, 26, of Calgary, was charged with aggravated sexual assault.

He is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 20.

“We will continue to investigate sexual assaults even after several years have passed, as we know new technology or new evidence can be brought forward to further an investigation,” said Staff Sgt. Tom Hanson of the Calgary Police Service sexual assault investigative unit.

“In this case, it was a successful DNA match that allowed our officers to positively identify a suspect and subsequently lay charges.”

Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police by calling 403-266-1234. Tips can also be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers.