PA Cold Cases
10 unsolved murders remain in Pennsylvania, including a 60-year-old library stabbing
Pennsylvania is home to numerous cold cases that have gone unsolved for decades, leaving families and communities searching for justice. One of the most infamous cases is the murder of Betsy Aardsma, a 22-year-old graduate student who was stabbed to death on November 28, 1969, in the Pattee Library at Penn State University. The attack occurred in the middle of the day, with several people nearby, but the students who rushed to the scene initially thought Aardsma had simply fainted. Library staff cleaned the area before police understood what had happened, potentially destroying crucial evidence.
The Aardsma case is a prime example of the challenges faced by investigators in the pre-DNA era. With no surveillance cameras or DNA profiling available at the time, the case has gone cold, despite a $10,000 reward offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator. Nearly 60 years later, no one has ever been charged in connection with Aardsma's murder. The case remains one of Pennsylvania's most famous cold cases, and it continues to haunt the family and friends of the victim.
Other notable cold cases in Pennsylvania include the murder of Tara Calico, a 19-year-old woman who disappeared on July 20, 1987, while out on a bike ride in Belington. Her body was found several months later in a remote area, but the case remains unsolved. The family of Tara Calico has offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for her death. Despite the passage of time, these cases continue to be a source of pain and frustration for the families and communities affected, and investigators remain committed to finding justice for the victims.
The Pennsylvania State Police have a dedicated cold case unit that reviews and re-examines evidence in unsolved cases, using new technologies and investigative techniques to try to crack the cases. In recent years, advances in DNA profiling have led to breakthroughs in several cold cases, giving hope to families who have waited decades for justice. As these cases continue to be investigated, it is clear that the pursuit of justice is an ongoing process that requires patience, persistence, and dedication.
As I reflect on the numerous cold cases in Pennsylvania, I firmly believe that it's imperative we re-examine and re-investigate these unresolved crimes. My thesis is that a lack of progress in solving cold cases undermines justice and leaves victims' families without closure. If nothing changes, the perpetrators of these heinous crimes win, able to live their lives without accountability for their actions. The winners in this scenario are the criminals who have evaded justice, while the victims' families and the community at large continue to suffer. It's time for a new approach to bring justice to these cases.
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