Chicago police identify former detective as killer in 1960 child murder

Chicago detectives have solved a 65-year-old cold case involving the 1960 murder of eight-year-old Gloria Kowalewicz. Through DNA testing and fingerprint reconstruction, investigators identified the killer as Thomas McInerney, a former member of the Chicago Police Department.

Kowalewicz disappeared in November 1960 while walking to church in the West Englewood neighborhood. Her body was discovered a few hours later in a wooded area with two gunshot wounds to the head. Despite interviewing over 1,300 people at the time, authorities were unable to identify a suspect for decades.

McInerney, who served on the force for 28 years and eventually became a homicide detective, died in 2006 at the age of 70. Forensic evidence was obtained from a bullet, the victim's clothing, a bag, and a prayer book. The FBI is now involved to determine if McInerney is linked to any other unsolved cases.