1964 Albany murder case solved; killer identified in brutal attack on local woman.
After a remarkable 61-year investigation, law enforcement officials have identified a suspect in the 1964 murder of Catherine Blackburn, a woman found dead in Albany. This breakthrough was announced by Albany police on Wednesday, marking a significant development in a case that had gone cold for decades.
Catherine Blackburn, 50 at the time of her death, was discovered in her home on Colonie Street on September 13, 1964. The crime scene revealed that she had been beaten, stabbed, and sexually assaulted, with notable mutilation to her body. Despite exhaustive inquiries over the past six decades, authorities were unable to pinpoint a suspect until recently.
The pivotal piece of evidence was a handkerchief located beneath Blackburn’s body, which contained DNA evidence linking the crime to Joseph Nowakowski, a local resident who passed away in 1998. The police revealed that DNA from semen found on the fabric matched that of Nowakowski, leading to this long-awaited identification after extensive genealogical research.
At a press conference following the announcement, Blackburn’s niece, Sandy Carmichael, expressed the profound impact of the murder on her family. Carmichael, who discovered her aunt’s body in 1964, noted the struggles they endured since that tragic day and conveyed gratitude to those involved in bringing resolution to the long-standing case.
Nowakowski, who had a criminal history, had previously served time in prison for a separate violent crime. In 1973, he was convicted for attacking a 74-year-old woman with a hatchet while she was asleep, resulting in a seven-year prison sentence. Prior to this incident, he faced multiple burglary charges in the Albany area. After his release in 1980, Nowakowski had no further incidents with law enforcement before his death nearly two decades later.
Catherine Blackburn’s case serves as a haunting reminder of unresolved crimes, but the advancements in DNA technology and investigative methods underscore the law enforcement community’s commitment to seeking justice, even after many years. The emergence of familial DNA analysis has opened new avenues in solving cold cases, providing hope that more victims may yet receive the justice they deserve.
This development not only sheds light on a historical tragedy but also illustrates the evolving landscape of criminal investigations, where technology plays an increasingly vital role in delivering closure to families affected by violent crimes.
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