Illinois authorities announced Wednesday that DNA testing has identified 1970s serial killer Bruce Lindahl as the perpetrator of a 1979 cold case murder.
In a surprising turn of events, clothing worn by 19-year-old Kathy Hall at the time of her mysterious disappearance on March 29, 1979, has been linked to Lindahl.
On the night of her disappearance, Halle left her apartment to pick up her sister at the Northgate Shopping Center in Aurora, Illinois, but never returned, North Aurora Police Department Officer Ryan Peet said at a news conference. Her body was found in the river several weeks later.
The case remained unsolved for decades until advances in DNA testing led investigators to reopen the case.
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This undated file photo provided by the Lisle, Illinois Police Department shows Bruce Lindahl. (Lisle Police Department, via AP)
In 2019, police near Lisle, Illinois, reinvestigated the 1976 murder of 16-year-old Pamela Maurer and used DNA to link Lindahl to the killing, Pete said.
Pete said North Aurora detectives met with the Lisle Police Department in 2020 and evidence in Hare's case was reviewed and sent for further testing. Detectives said the DNA was too degraded to definitively attribute Lindahl's crime.
In 2022, North Aurora police learned of an evidence box containing Lindahl's belongings at a police station in Naperville, Illinois. Mr Peet said evidence showed that Mr Lindahl frequently visited Mr Halle's workplace.
Pete said he turned to a new DNA tool called M-Vac, which helps collect DNA from old cases.
In August, it was revealed that Lindahl's DNA had been found on Halle's clothing. Investigators concluded that she was taken from her home and murdered on a March night in 1979.
In March 1979, Kathy Hall disappeared while on her way to pick up her sister. (Fox 32)
“This has been a long and difficult investigation, but today we are able to give the Hare family the answers they have been waiting for for decades,” Pete said.
Lindahl is believed to have murdered more than a dozen women and girls, and died in April 1981 when she stabbed a man to death in Naperville. During the struggle, Lindahl somehow punctured his femoral artery. His body was found on top of the victim's body.
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If Lindahl were still alive, State Attorney Jamie Mosser said, he would have been charged with Halle's murder based on new evidence.
“If Bruce Lindahl had not died in 1981, this case would have been prosecuted in court. His pattern of violence, combined with the DNA evidence we now have, suggests that he was responsible for Cathy's tragic death.” There is no doubt that he was responsible for her death. However, although we cannot prosecute, Lindahl and her family now know the truth and finally, belatedly, justice has been served for Cathy.” Mosser said at a press conference.
Detective Ryan Peete said DNA present on Halle's clothing matched Lindahl's. (Fox 32)
Halle's family said in a statement that it was difficult to revisit the case, but they are grateful for closure after 45 years.
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“Thanks to advances in DNA technology and groundbreaking investigative tools, we hope that other families will not have to endure the same pain and anxiety that we have faced over the years,” the family said in a statement. “We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the North Aurora Police Department and the agencies and organizations involved for their dedication, perseverance and never giving up, even when it seemed impossible.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the North Aurora Police Department for comment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
