Cold Case from 1960 Solved: Former Chicago Detective Identified as Killer

A former homicide detective from Chicago has been identified as the murderer of an 8-year-old girl who went missing on her way to church in 1960. This development has led authorities to investigate whether he may have been involved in other cases.

Thomas F. McInerney Jr. began his career with the Chicago Police Department in 1959, just a year prior to the abduction and murder of Gloria Kowalewicz. He eventually became a detective focused on violent crimes and continued his service until his retirement in 1987.

More than 65 years after Gloria’s tragic death, the Chicago police announced that advancements in DNA technology and a preserved fingerprint from the crime scene led to the identification of McInerney, who passed away in 2006 at the age of 70.

Gloria vanished on November 12, 1960, after she left her home to attend morning Mass at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Church, located just a few blocks away. Her body was discovered about four hours later in a ditch at a forest preserve southwest of Chicago, where she had been shot.

The investigation into her murder was extensive, with detectives interviewing over 1,300 people and canvassing numerous neighborhoods. Unfortunately, despite these efforts, the case remained unresolved for decades.

Evidence from the scene included a bullet, Gloria’s coat and shoes, along with a white communion purse containing her prayer book. A fingerprint was also collected from the strap of the purse.

Using modern forensic techniques, investigators collaborated with the FBI and Illinois State Police to connect the DNA and fingerprint evidence to McInerney, according to department officials.

In a statement, Chicago police expressed their regret, saying, “McInerney should never have worn the CPD star, and it is devastating to accept that he was never identified and held accountable while he was alive.”

The Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office is currently exploring other cases that may also be connected to McInerney, as reported. It’s unsettling to think about how, perhaps, others might have been affected by his actions during his career.

Sadly, Gloria’s parents did not live to see her killer identified, but they expressed hope that the new information could provide some closure for family and friends who still remember her.

After his time with the police department, McInerney worked for the Federal Public Defender’s Office in Nevada before retiring in 2004. Two years later, he died without ever facing charges related to Gloria’s murder.