Introduction to the Cold Case
Authorities in New York’s capital city have identified the man they say raped, stabbed and bludgeoned to death a woman inside her home more than 60 years ago.
Officials linked DNA from Joseph Nowakowski, who died in 1998, to the killing of 50-year-old Catherine Blackburn in September 1964, Albany Police Chief Brendan Cox said during a news conference Wednesday.
The Investigation and Identification
The identification was made through a joint effort by the Criminal Investigation Resource Center at Russell Sage College and other forensic and investigative agencies, authorities said. The work, which spanned several years, eventually allowed authorities to match DNA from the crime scene with DNA from Nowakowski, whose body was recently exhumed as part of the investigation, Albany Police Commander Melissa Morey said. Nowakowski’s relatives cooperated with the investigation, she said.
The Suspect’s Background
Nowakowski had a lengthy criminal record, including an attack on an elderly woman in 1973 in Schenectady and several burglaries, authorities said.
“We wanted to make sure that we took every step possible to be 100% positive that he was, in fact, tied to this and that we have his DNA on file,” Cox said.
Connection Between the Suspect and the Victim
Nowakowski was in his early 30s when Blackburn was attacked and was not a suspect at the time. Authorities said Wednesday that there is no indication that Blackburn and Nowakowski knew each other.
Blackburn was found by a niece, Sandy Carmichael, who went to the home after one of Blackburn’s coworkers went to pick Blackburn up for work but could not locate her.
Reaction from the Victim’s Family
“Sixty-one years ago, evil entered my aunt’s house and changed our lives forever," the now 81-year-old Carmichael said Wednesday. “We prayed for this day, To all who made this possible, God bless you."
Conclusion
The solving of Catherine Blackburn’s murder after 61 years brings closure to her family and demonstrates the power of DNA evidence in cold cases. The dedication and cooperation of various agencies and individuals were crucial in identifying Joseph Nowakowski as the perpetrator, finally bringing justice to the victim.
FAQs
- Q: Who was identified as the perpetrator of Catherine Blackburn’s murder?
- A: Joseph Nowakowski, who died in 1998, was identified through DNA evidence as the man who raped, stabbed, and bludgeoned Catherine Blackburn to death in 1964.
- Q: How was the identification made?
- A: The identification was made possible through a joint effort by the Criminal Investigation Resource Center at Russell Sage College and other forensic and investigative agencies, which matched DNA from the crime scene with DNA from Nowakowski.
- Q: Did the victim and the perpetrator know each other?
- A: According to authorities, there is no indication that Catherine Blackburn and Joseph Nowakowski knew each other.
- Q: What was the reaction of the victim’s family to the news?
- A: The victim’s niece, Sandy Carmichael, expressed gratitude and relief that the case had been solved, stating that the family had prayed for this day for 61 years.
