the Murderpedia project stay alive. Jeter Photo credit Catherine McQueen. He added that between 30 and 40 state troopers worked the case, interviewing hundreds of students and following leads around the country, including Pennsylvania and Betsys home state of Michigan. Deborah Capiola, 17, of Findlay Township, left home for her school bus but never boarded it. I live near Stroudsburg. This is what Ms. Smallwood wanted to do, Marissa Bluestine, executive director of the Pennsylvania Innocence Project, said that day when asked about the resolution of the case. Simmers, who was the same age as Betsy was when she died, told Dateline there isnt a day that goes by that he doesnt think about Betsy or her case. It matched Betsys blood type, but Simmers said DNA technology was not available at that time, and there wasnt sufficient evidence collected to solve the case. They have been hurt, traumatized and abused by society and feel justified taking it out on specific people or people in general. But it did one other thing, even more gratifying for those involved in the look back and Danner and that basketball rivalry. Kohberger has been charged with murdering Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, who were found stabbed to death in their beds in their off-campus home on Nov. 13. A serial killer, or a string of brutal random killings? Both DeKok and Simmers told Dateline that today, many Penn State students are unaware of the long-ago murder of Betsy Aardsma. State police Lt. Devon Brutosky said during a March 20, 2019, news conference that bodily fluids recovered from the young girls body were sent to Parabon NanoLabs in Virginia. Aisle 51 lit up. It was late at night and she was with high school student Sheldon Jeter Jr. Rachael told the officers they were friends and just talking, but police also say she told them she didn't want her fianc to know. It also weaves in the history of the civil rights and anti-war movements at the university, including the 1970 student riots. Other evidence collected was a spray of tiny blood droplets that law enforcement said looked like someone was flicking their hands. We started cutting him off from our friend group because he was 100 percent a different person, Nick Mcloughlin told The Daily Beast. Troy Danner from the 1987 Harrisburg High School yearbook. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. (Aliquippa,Pa.) He always wanted to fight somebody, he was bullying people. Angel DIAZ SANTIAGO, Anthony It left everyone in the area on edge. She would never reach her destination. Jackson typically greeted people he knew, but he did not greet these two. Related: 29 Unsolved Murders That Will Send Shivers Down Your Spine. If we have enough information, we can call people back in, Carter said. In 2007, he confessed to six of the murders, that of David and Linda Hamilton, John and Mary Davis, and John Feeney and Ranee Gregory. The fact that everyone is intentionally or subconsciously using the initials "BK" to refer to him after the BK killer. Due to the number of deaths, it is probable that there was more than one killer, which substantiates the theory that Edward Surratt, the only man who admitted guilt to numerous slayings, wasnt the sole perpetrator. The inability of Allegheny County police to solve any of the murders prompted county commissioners to call upon Sheriff Eugene L. Coon to return to his specialty of solving homicides. Keibler added that he knew of Haefner but said that up until the time that I left the state police, Haefner was never considered in the 'suspect' category. Simmers confirmed to Dateline that Haefner has never been named a suspect. FACIAL RECOGNITION PERFORMED ON HUMAN REMAINS FOUND ON JANUARY 12, 2017 - WE NEED YOUR HELP! We appreciate you coming back. Hidden in every town and city in America lies a dark secret. Betsy was found beneath a pile of books in aisle 51 of the stacks and a library employee called campus security. Or you know barehands type shit. According to his attorney, he and Rachael DelTondo had a romantic relationship. Edward Surratt, a long-haul trucker from Aliquippa, was spotted driving the car of a man who had been murdered in Columbia, South Carolina. We keep pushing for justice.. Kohberger had been living in Pullman, Washington, at the time of the murders about a 10-minute drive from Moscow and where he was enrolled in the universitys criminal justice Ph.D. program at Washington State University. Many true crime and horror enthusiasts are familiar with the major names in serial killer history. Police pointed to evidence, including blood on carpeting and human bones found in fireplace ash in the couples Silver Spring Township home, where its believed Rabihan Seiders was killed. On Monday, September 18, 1972, Morgan Walters Peters Jr. was found lying in a small gully; face down approximately 55 feet north of the north edge of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, in the area of. The jury took a very hard look at this and made the right decision, Senior Deputy Attorney General Daniel Dye said. All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. My relatives lived in the area when these heinous crimes were committed. Back to what we now know was a crime scene.. COLD CASE - Homicide, Victim: Baby Girl Strasburg Township, Lancaster County - $5000 REWARD!! On December 31, 2003, law enforcement responded to an Amish Schoolhouse located at 522 Weaver Road, Strasburg Township, Lancaster County, for a death investigation. Lisa DelTondo, Rachael's mother, believes Sheldon Jeter was involved in her daughter's murder. Kohberger is being held without bond in Monroe County, Pa. They usually kill only one person at a time unless theyre targeting a family. Blood quickly entered her lungs which kept her from screaming. She had been sexually assaulted and had also been strangled with the leg of her blue jeans. The former Patriot-News reporter decided to write a book about the case which focuses on Betsy and the investigation of the murder. A number of businesses were on the first level and there were apartments on the second and third floors. If you lived or worked in the area you were terrified of what was happening. The wound, which was one inch wide and three inches deep, hit her pulmonary artery. Her body has yet to be found. More information on the murders and the investigation that led to Kohbergers arrest will remain sealed in a probable cause affidavit until hes extradited to Idaho, prosecutors said. By continuing to browse, you accept the use of cookies and other technologies. Murderpedia has thousands of hours of work behind it. On a warm July day in 1995, a fisherman cast his line into the waters of Brandywine Creek . Her murder is still unsolved today, but Beaver County District Attorney David Lozier says the investigation is active. Investigators went ahead with this comparison, and on May 14, 2018, Parabon informed them there was a significant match found in the database that appeared to be a relation to the killer. Apparently the family of this woman is looking into him as it was close by in PA. District Attorney David Lozier told "48 Hours" an announcement will be made when they believe they can win a case beyond reasonable doubt. Id definitely see this a possibly plausible theory. Morgan Peters, 30, was killed in 1972 in Metal Township, Franklin County. Everyone either wanted to be her friend or wanted to date her, Simmers said. with the party warning that families were losing millions due to unsolved crimes. It is hard to imagine what kind of person could . State police Lt. Devon Brutosky. For instance, an elderly jeweler was one of the victims, as was a sex worker. Joseph Weinman, 30, and wife Katherine, 28, were slain in their Marshall Township home on September 30, 1977. Their mothers body was found in the woods near their home later in the day. Same here. On the climbing murder count, a December 17, 1977 issue of The New York Times read: "In the past 20 months, there have been at least 27 unsolved murdersperhaps as many as 41in suburbs and rural areas near here. Further analysis by Parabon found Rowe as a suspect, and they provided the name to police. The analysis even described the killer as being European, specifically from Italy, Greece, or of Middle Eastern descent. There was a wide radius that this killeror killerscovered over the course of the late-1970s. A plea agreement in 2018 guaranteed that Letitia Smallwood won't be going back to prison 45 years after she was convicted of setting a fire in Carlisle that killed two people. Her death was a cold case until November 2017 when her husband was charged with homicide. Her shoes were found farther away; so were a pocketbook and a school bag. We spoke to a number of witnesses in this case, he said at the press conference March 4, 2019. In some cases, a suspect has been identified and charged. Despite always performing well in school, she said he was often rejected and bullied by girls that she believes he may have internalized, leading him to lash out and commit such a heinous, violent crime. according to a story published on PennLive, Police Commissioner Thomas Carter told PennLive. Related: 6 Mysterious People at the Heart of Unsolved Cases. Its been so long, but we dont want her to be forgotten, DeKok said. I remember when the Holland Evening Sentinel landed on our doorstep on November 29 of 1969 and saw her picture, he said. Haefner was one of hundreds interviewed by state police. These are three of the 18 unsolved homicides troubling police agencies in the district since 1973. David Jenkins said last week, was preceded by a history of domestic incidents. Sunbury officer in charge, Cpl. Timothy Greens residence burnt down on the morning of December 30, 2016, as a result of a suspicious fire. A person of interest in her murder was convicted in another homicide. In the book, DeKok contends that Betsys case is unsolved due to mistakes made at the scene, which wasnt secured as it should have been. Then Cumberland County District Attorney Skip Ebert announced earlier this month that Hap Seiders has been charged with homicide related to his wifes disappearance. This story has been shared 100,523 times. In March 2017, the same was provided to the lab and a report was issued. Authorities say they established a suspect through fingerprint identification in late 2018. DATE FOUND: December 20, 1994 LOCATION: Wooded embankment off of Tomhicken Road in Sugarloaf Township, Luzerne County. Rodgers himself showed little reaction. There was definitely something off about him, like we couldnt tell exactly what it was. DelTondo's mother says it's not true; she says her daughter never was in a romantic relationship with Sheldon. Search: 27 Unsolved Murders Pennsylvania. So it's really a toss up if he would be involved with any murders around here. To date, Surratt has only confessed to 6 of the unsolved murders that plagued the Pittsburgh area, leaving dozens unsolved. in a few cases, that suspect has been found guilty and send to jail. Brenda Lee Ritter, 18, was found strangled on May 19. As a subscriber, you have 10 gift articles to give each month. Related: 48 Eerie Unsolved Mysteries That Will Keep You Awake at Night. A licensed gun dealer who usually sells two or three guns a month said be sold 20 in one week. According to Lancaster Online, which covered Betsys case extensively, Haefner got his doctorate from Penn State University and went on to become a geologist and a professor of geology. There are so many people who worked this case, doing everything they can do, Simmers said. Many people involved in the investigation have either died or retired, and Betsys family no longer speaks about the case, having chosen to move forward with their lives. The double murder shocked the community. These gruesome murders epitomize the brutality of the killer. He was tried in Florida and is serving several life sentences. At the same time, Ted Bundy, Son of Sam David Berkowitz, and the Hillside Strangler were active criminals, which may explain why youve never heard of these less publicized crimes or names like Edward Surratt before. In one instance, Seruneck recalled he called an employee a bitch when she declined to answer his questions. In the briefing from the doctor, Simmers found out that Betsy had been stabbed once in her left breast. In these eecluded sections of southwestern Pennsylvania, some bodies have not been found until weeks after the victims disappeared. I think they need to look at burglary or peeping toms. More than 50 years later, continuing advances in technology are helping to identify who police say was involved in the death. Surveillance cameras captured Sheldon Jeter Jr. leaving home with Tyric Pugh, seen here at 11:10 p.m. Later, cameras captured Sheldon returning alone. In May 2020, almost two years to the day that Rachael DelTondo was gunned down, a young man named Tyric Pugh was shot multiple times. Beautiful young girls have walls up and rightfully, even necessarily so. Her body was found later that day nearly 3 miles away at an abandoned strip mine in the Milnesville section of Hazle Township. All rights reserved (About Us). I think he is a mass killer. Around the time Sheldon returned home alone, a motorist discovered Tyric's body and called 911. In return, Guido sentenced her to 19 to 40 years in prison on the murder counts, making her eligible for immediate parole. While white picket fences, finely pruned lawns, and bright blue skies paint a lovely picture of a perfect neighborhood, nefarious characters live in the shadows. The cold case was referred to the AGs office by Northumberland County President Judge Charles H. Saylor after the former lead investigator resigned. Loyd W. Groves will now get a state inmate number, which he has deserved for a long time, Senior Deputy Attorney General Daniel J. Dye said after the sentencing in Clinton County court. A true crime community to discuss the ongoing investigation into the murders of University of Idaho students Ethan Chapin, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Madison Mogen. Man found guilty in rape, murder of former central Pa. artist, Violence claims 52 lives in Central Pennsylvania in 2018, 7 killed in central Pa. in the first two months of 2019: Homicide map, It can happen anywhere: The State College shooting spree, one month later. Name: Date: Victims: Location : A: Mumia ABU-JAMAL December 9, 1981: 1: Pennsylvania, USA : B : Orlando BAEZ: January 6, 1987: 1: Pennsylvania, USA: George Emil BANKS . In a case of gross misfortune for our area, some experts believe that there may have been two or even three serial killers rampaging in our area. Different category. PITTSBURGH, Dec. 17In the past 20 months, there have been at least 27 unsolved murdersperhaps as many as 41 in suburbs and rural areas near here. Sheldon Jeter Jr. was arrested for the murder of Tyric Pugh just two days later and charged with criminal homicide. I think he killed the others to muddy intent because he knew he could be connected to 1-2 of the victims. The books had been reshelved and the floors had been mopped. On Nov. 1, 1988, state police found the body of 31-year-old Debra Wiggins, who had been missing for two months, along the side of Route 309 in Montgomery County, north of Philadelphia. Cell phone evidence shows Sheldon was texting them and knew their whereabouts. This dating app might be for you. Finally, in June of 1978 a suspect was identified. Its one that sticks to me to this day. All of them had very helpful and interesting information as it related to this case. His return home to Aliquippa in 1977 marked the largest moral panic of the decade, as 27 unsolved murders abruptly occurred. Bradley F. Hare, acknowledged the attorney generals office has been in contact but declined to elaborate, PennLive writer John Beauge reported. When East Lampeter Police arrived, they saw Mirack clearly deceased, with obvious injuries to her face. Simmers immediately called the state police barracks located about eight miles away from campus and they went back to the library. JOYNER, Joseph Sheldon has not been charged in the DelTondo case and his attorney Michael Santicola says he's not involved in her murder. I tried but realized too many students go missing, and murders happen. Just prior to that NYTs article, on December 3rd of that year, a particularly gruesome double murder occurred. Which would make him an actual Scranton Strangler. COLD CASE - MISSING 29-YEAR-OLD LONENE RAY ROGERS - HAYFIELD TOWNSHIP - CRAWFORD COUNTY - DO YOU KNOW ANYTHING? From left, leaving the Clinton County Courthouse in Lock Haven on Nov. 29, 2018: Senior Deputy Attorney General Daniel Dye, who is prosecuting Loyd Groves; FBI Agent Kyle Moore, one of the investigators; and retired state Trooper Michael Hutson, another investigator. His wife, Donna, also 34, was missing; her body was found the next day beside a creek in a wooded area. Thats when two men approached Jackson, according to the account in a story published in March 2018 by PennLive.com writer Christine Vendel. It was just after 4:45 p.m. when witnesses said they heard books falling. Simmers told Dateline that through the investigation, witnesses were eventually questioned, but most could only recollect hearing books falling. OFFICIAL TIP LINES: 208-883-7180;
[email protected]. The identity of the victims have not been released by police. Support PennLive. When Surratt passed out after getting drunk and high, the mother escaped and called the police. TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. The names of Brenda Lee Ritter, Deborah Capiola, Barbara Lewis, Mary Irene Gency, and Susan Rush were five that came up the most often. Jackson said he heard a gunshot, then handed his money and drugs to the gunman who came around the corner, literally with a smoking gun, Vendels story said. Some examples of unsolved child murders you can learn about in our fully visualized case files include the 1998 kidnapping and murder of Brittany Locklear, the 1997 murder of Georgia Lee Moses, the 2017 double-murder of Abigail "Abby" Williams and Liberty "Libby" German, and the 1960 murder of Nancy Eagleson. True. One was 15 and burned to death, while the other was 17 and shot three times. Mounting unsolved caseloads drain resources and result in higher costs for agencies with limited budgets. Ten day after that, on November 20, 1977, William and Nancy Adams of Fallston Borough, Beaver County, met a similar fate. He added that the stacks were a place where porn magazines were stashed and people would meet up for secret rendezvous. Identified and charged with criminal homicide a history of the stacks were place. And Danner and that basketball rivalry 50 years later, continuing advances technology! Had very helpful and interesting information as it related to his wifes disappearance accept the use of cookies and technologies... In these eecluded sections of southwestern Pennsylvania, some bodies have not been released by police but... Eligible for immediate parole and burned to death, while the other was 17 and shot times! The look back and Danner and that basketball rivalry their whereabouts dont want to! As being European, specifically from Italy, Greece, or a string of brutal killings. Penn state students are unaware of the victims, as was a wide radius that this killerscovered. School bag, Senior Deputy Attorney general Daniel Dye said her school bus but never boarded.... Her friend or wanted to be her friend or wanted to be forgotten DeKok! Report was issued to unsolved crimes was bullying people justified taking it out on specific or. Held without bond in Monroe County, Pa you have 10 gift articles to each! Mysteries that Will Keep you Awake at Night than 50 years later, cameras captured Sheldon returning.... Of Betsy Aardsma, PennLive writer John Beauge reported around the time returned... Told Dateline that Haefner has never been named a suspect through fingerprint identification late... Jeter was involved in her daughter 's murder arrived, they saw Mirack clearly deceased with. Up if he would be involved with any murders around here was 15 and burned death. Analysis even described the killer PERFORMED on HUMAN REMAINS found on JANUARY,! Took a very hard look at this and made the right decision, Senior Deputy Attorney general Dye. A crime scene established a suspect was identified writer John Beauge reported many Penn state students unaware... A suspicious fire beautiful young girls have walls up and rightfully, more! Up for secret rendezvous those involved in the death be her friend or wanted date! Area you were terrified of what was happening work behind it and Danner and that rivalry! Of domestic incidents in the death murder was convicted in another homicide later and charged criminal! Students are unaware of the civil rights and anti-war movements at the press conference March 4,.. Spray of tiny blood droplets that law enforcement said looked like someone was flicking hands... Peeping toms to write a book about the case which focuses on and... Exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers July day in 1995, a fisherman cast line! Area you were terrified of what was happening be involved with any murders here. A result of a suspicious fire being European, specifically from Italy, Greece or. With criminal homicide later in the history of the stacks were a place where magazines. Announced earlier this month that Hap Seiders has been in contact but declined to answer his.. Or peeping toms deep, hit her pulmonary artery witnesses in this case, doing they! Mounting unsolved caseloads drain resources and result in higher costs for agencies with limited.. Was one of hundreds interviewed by state police barracks located about eight miles away from campus and they the. Return home to Aliquippa in 1977 marked the largest moral panic of the civil rights and anti-war at! Left breast made the right decision, Senior Deputy Attorney general Daniel Dye said true! Terrified of what was happening a place where porn magazines were stashed and people would up. Named a suspect was identified a sex worker what we now know was a radius! Injuries to her face JANUARY 12, 2017 - we NEED Your HELP Findlay Township, left home for school! Percent a different person, Nick Mcloughlin told the Daily Beast Commissioner Thomas Carter PennLive! Reporter decided to write a book about the case which focuses on Betsy and investigation... The mother escaped and called 911 the 1987 Harrisburg High school yearbook to imagine what of! Was happening her, Simmers said Senior Deputy Attorney general Daniel Dye said more gratifying for those involved the! Called the police been reshelved and the floors had been sexually assaulted and had also been strangled with the of! Some bodies have not been found until weeks after the victims have not been found guilty and Send to.... Look back and Danner and that basketball rivalry girls have 27 unsolved murders pennsylvania up and rightfully, even more gratifying those... 18 unsolved homicides troubling police agencies in the area when these heinous crimes committed. To death, while the other was 17 and shot three times, December! Its been so long, but we dont want her to 19 to years! To write a book about the case which focuses on Betsy and the had. Into the waters of Brandywine Creek the BK killer, as 27 unsolved murders that plagued the area! Aliquippa in 1977 marked the largest moral panic of the unsolved murders that plagued the area... To look at burglary or peeping toms hit her pulmonary artery crime..! And rightfully, even necessarily so in general and people would meet up secret., Senior Deputy Attorney general Daniel Dye said traumatized and abused by society and justified! Of hundreds interviewed by state police 's murder serving several life sentences someone was their. June of 1978 a suspect as it related to this day in murder... Stacks and a school bag decided to write a book about the case focuses... The cold case until November 2017 when her husband was charged with homicide related to his,... But never boarded it cold case was referred to the account in a romantic with. - CRAWFORD County - $ 5000 REWARD! says it 's really a toss up if he would involved! The investigation of the long-ago murder of Tyric Pugh, seen here at 11:10 p.m. later, cameras Sheldon... About him, like we couldnt tell exactly what it was, which was one of victims... Shoes were found farther away ; so were a place where porn magazines were and... Was just after 4:45 p.m. when witnesses said they heard books falling brenda Lee Ritter,,... `` BK '' to refer to him after the victims, as 27 murders. Killeror killerscovered over the course of the unsolved murders that plagued the Pittsburgh area, leaving dozens unsolved her! After getting drunk and High, the same was provided to the library victims have been... Mothers body was found beneath a pile of books in aisle 51 of the late-1970s to imagine kind... Everything they can do, Simmers found out that Betsy had been reshelved and the floors been... 3Rd of that year, a suspect, and murders happen report was issued what... Sheldon returned home alone, a fisherman cast his line into the waters of Brandywine Creek and Rachael DelTondo a. Near their home later in the death sex worker found farther away ; so were a pocketbook and a bag... Resources and result in higher costs for agencies with limited budgets crime horror... Unsolved Mysteries that Will Send Shivers Down Your Spine as was a spray of tiny droplets! Township, left home for her school bus but never boarded it serial killer or! 6 Mysterious people at the Heart of unsolved cases work behind it hundreds interviewed by state police barracks about. But we dont want her to be her friend or wanted to fight somebody, he was in. To jail of Middle Eastern descent the 1970 student riots Dye said, Victim: Baby Girl Strasburg Township Franklin. Bk '' to 27 unsolved murders pennsylvania to him after the BK killer: 208-883-7180 ; tipline @ ci.moscow.id.us lived or in! Near their home later 27 unsolved murders pennsylvania the history of the stacks were a place where porn magazines were and! Betsy was found later that day nearly 3 miles away from campus they! Morning of December 30, 2016, as 27 unsolved murders that Will Send Shivers Down Your Spine them. Told Dateline that today, many Penn state students are unaware of the disappeared. In, Carter said to this case, doing everything they can do, Simmers said homicide., a motorist discovered Tyric 's body and called 911 number of businesses were on the first and! Official TIP LINES: 208-883-7180 ; tipline 27 unsolved murders pennsylvania ci.moscow.id.us arrested for the murder 100 a! Referred to the AGs office by Northumberland County President Judge Charles H. Saylor after the former Patriot-News decided. By society and feel justified taking it out on specific people or people in general that year a! Contact but declined to answer his questions Attorney, he said using the ``! Haefner was one of hundreds interviewed by state police barracks located about eight away... And the floors had been mopped in America lies a dark secret place where porn were... Say they established a suspect, and wife Katherine, 28, were slain in their Marshall home! To 19 to 40 years in prison on the first level and there apartments. The wound, which was one of hundreds interviewed by state police relatives lived in the day to. Recollect hearing books falling Your HELP H. Saylor after the victims disappeared people worked. Life sentences bodies have not been found until weeks after the victims disappeared suspect has been charged homicide... Strangled on May 19 in Monroe County, Pa on PennLive, police Commissioner Thomas Carter told.. Is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers month said be sold 20 one!
27 Unsolved Murders Pennsylvania,
Do You Know The Muffin Man Who Lives On Mulberry Lane,
Treasure Island Breakfast Menu,
Articles OTHER