Chicago police solve 1960 murder of Gloria Kowalewicz

After 66 years, investigators have made a breakthrough in the 1960 murder of eight-year-old Gloria Kowalewicz. The child disappeared while walking to a church in the West Englewood neighborhood of Chicago on November 12, 1960.

Her body was discovered four hours later in a ditch in a nature preserve southwest of the city. She had been shot twice in the head and had bruises on her neck. Despite an extensive investigation at the time, which included questioning over 1,300 people and administering polygraph tests to more than a dozen suspects, no one was ever charged.

Key evidence preserved by the Chicago Cold Case unit, including a bullet, the victim's clothing, and a small white purse containing a prayer book, eventually allowed for a breakthrough. A fingerprint found on the strap of the purse and advancements in DNA technology have finally enabled detectives to identify the perpetrator.